ROACH, Helen Ann (McAlpine)

October 27, 1934 — September 8, 2013

Helen passed away peacefully in Kelowna General Hospital as a result of a stroke. She lived determinedly with Parkinson’s disease for over 15 years. She is survived and will be terribly missed by Bill, her loving husband of 60 years, sons Dan, Mike, Chris and Paul, her angel granddaughter Patricia, grandsons Dan (IV) and Anthony and loving, caring daughters in law Roberta, Robyn and Colleen, and her brother John McAlpine.

Helen and Bill met and married while they were at the University of Tulsa. In 1954 they moved to the “wilds” of northern Alberta where Helen discovered there wasn’t “a Safeway in every town”. In time they moved to Calgary where they settled for more than 40 years, after which her home on Okanagan Lake in Kelowna with her wonderful gardens where the family spent some 40 summers, became home.

Helen was strong of mind, kind of heart, a devoted and tireless mother, student of history, a culinary and horticultural master, lover of fine arts and quiet supporter of charities.

She was predeceased by her mother, Bess Jones, her father John McAlpine and her sister Bessie McAlpine.

As Helen wanted she will be cremated and there will be a family funeral mass at Immaculate Conception Church on September 12.

This lovely poem by Kendra Tyler expresses Helen’s wish:

To Those I Love And Those Who Loved Me

When I am gone, release me, and let me go,

I have so many things to see and do.

You must not tie yourselves to me with tears,

Be Happy that we had so many years.

I gave to you my Love, but you can only guess,

How much you gave to me in Happiness.

I thank you for the Love you have shown,

But now it’s time I traveled on alone.

So grieve awhile for me, if you must.

Then let grief be comforted by Trust.

It’s only for a short time that we must part,

So Bless the Memories with your Heart.

I won’t be far away, but Life goes on,

So if you need me, Call and I will come.

Though you can’t see me or touch me… I’ll be near,

With all of my Love around you soft and clear

And when this way you must come,

I’ll greet you with a smile and a ‘Welcome Home.’

Should family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of Canada, 4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316, Toronto, ON M2P 2A9 or a charity of your choice. For those wishing to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences”.