We Remember
SIMMONS, Helen
January 24, 1926 — May 6, 2016
On Friday, May 6, 2016, our beloved mother, Helen Vivian Simmons, passed away peacefully at Kelowna General Hospital at the age of 90. She leaves us to join her loving husband, Ab, her parents Philip and Laura Hurren, her sister May and her two brothers Carl and Stan, and her many many friends that passed before her.
Left to cherish her memory are her four sons; Joe (Pat) of Summerland, Don (Pat) of Vernon, Brian (Deb) of West Kelowna, and Chris (Deb) of Kelowna; 10 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren as well as many extended family and friends.
Mom was born on January 24, 1926 in Swan River, MB, met dad at a dance hall on Retallack Street in Regina, and they married July 27, 1943. They partied with the “old gang” till the wee hours at Joyce Cullen’s home. Then off to work at Purity Dairy.
Joe was the first of four boys born to Mom and Dad, then Don – a 13 year hiatus – then Brian, followed closely by Chris. Mom worked at Kraft Foods and Dad’s Cookies. Working at Dad’s Cookies while the boys were young proved to be very beneficial for the boys, as Mom would bring home the broken cookies on a nightly basis. A move to the Okanagan Valley in 1971 to be closer to Joe and Don, who had previously moved to a warmer climate, was all Mom needed to get her deep brown tan; she loved the sun. Winding down her working career, she took positions at Kelowna General Hospital until health problems began to plague her.
Mom loved to travel, with trips to Nashville, Alaska, Hawaii, Thailand, Hong Kong, sometimes cruising, sometimes flying. She just liked going to faraway places, coming home and showing off her new treasures.
Music and dancing have always been a part of Mom’s life; if not square or round dancing on a bi-weekly basis, then dancing at house parties or clubs. When not dancing, she relaxed with her ‘boy’ Randy Travis or Country Music Television.
Mom had a great sense of humor, loved to laugh, especially at or with her sons. She loved sitcoms and truly funny jokes; she would let you know if it wasn’t funny.
Helen Vivian Simmons will be truly missed by everyone that knew her.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 10:00 at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC.
For those wishing to send a condolence, photos or share memories, may do so by scrolling down this page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”
Service
Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 10:00 am
Location
Springfield Funeral Home
Our thoughts are with you. It’s never easy losing someone you love. May she rest in peace.
Dawn and Frank Kaminski
VERY SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT AUNTIE HELEN PASSING… ENJOYED OUR VISIT WITH AUNTIE HELEN AND SOME OF THE FAMILY AT HER GRANDSON R.C.M.P GRADUATION HERE IN REGINA. SHE WAS SO PROUD OF GETTING HER PICTURE TAKEN WITH HER FAVORITE MOUNTIE .
SHE WAS SO PROUD OF ALL OF HER FAMILY .
WITH SYMPATHY SUSAN CHARLIE CULLEN REGINA SASK.
Our deepest sympathy to the Simmons family. May you find comfort and ease with each passing day. Cherish her memory and hold those fond memories close to your heart.
From our family to yours , the deepest condolences.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Helen always had a great smile ,seeing her at various occasions was a pleasure .
Kynan
She was ‘Aunt Helen’ and I was Bobby, Katie’s eldest, and I was so fortunate to have her and Ab in my life. She always had a smile, a hug, and cookie pieces, when we went to visit. My mom and dad enjoyed square dancing most weekends with Helen and Ab and the two families would always find time to get together for the major holidays. And why not, my mom’s best friend was my ‘aunt’ Helen. To the family, I will always cherish my fondest memories of a wonderful loving, mother, woman, friend and ‘aunt’.
For my ‘aunt Helen’ – Till we meet again.
Bobby
Brian & Chris & families . . . We were saddened to hear of your mom’s passing! Cherish your memories & those special moments your shared. You’re in our thoughts & prayers as you mourn your loss. Love, Bernie & Ev
Dear Simmons clan the world is a poorer place with out your Mom. I loved my Auntie Helen. Sorry I could not be with you in person, however I was with you online. Love David
I find the hardest part of living is the people you loose along the way. I was glad I was able to be with you today by way of the Internet, it was a very touching and lovely service. I was lucky to be able to bring it up on the tv with air play as I couldn’t hear it very well and the music was so good.
I will always remember Aunt Helen’s beautiful smile and those sparkly eyes when Uncle Ab would be up to something. What a joyous reunion they will have… which will bring great peace to all of you. Sending hugs from Saskatchewan.
Brenda (Joyce and Art)
our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We have a lot of good memories of aunt Helen and Uncle Ab.