We Remember
Shirreff, Helen Mary (nee Edwards)
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Helen passed away peacefully at the Kelowna Hospice House on January 10, 2013. Helen was born 96 years ago in Regina, Saskatchewan. After early years spent in Vancouver, she moved to Kelowna in 1929 with her parents and two sisters. She married Ormand Crete Shirreff in 1941. Helen, her husband and their many friends were all sports minded. They were active in the golfing and curling community and enjoyed travelling up and down the Valley in support of the Kelowna Packers Hockey team. Helen is survived by her loving children: Grant (Hilary), Mark (Liz), Claire Marx (Rolf), Dixie (Brian Perry); her many grandchildren and great grandchildren; her sister Mabel Henderson (Harold) and their extended family; and by the extended family of her deceased sister Audrey Watson. We will remember Helen as a social person who liked having people around. She seldom forgot a name or a detail of the past and loved to recall the memories of her exciting life. She lived many long and happy years for which we are very thankful. Heartfelt gratitude goes to Dr. Dean Griswold and Dr. Diane Graham for their empathy and compassionate care and to the staff and volunteers at the Kelowna Hospice House who kept Helen very comfortable during her stay there. According to Helen’s wishes, there will be no service.
Awe, I’m so sorry for your loss. I have been thinking of your mother so much lately. I had tried to call over the Christmas holiday.
She was such a remarkable woman. I loved visiting with her and reminiscing. It was so much fun to listen to stories from years ago. She sure brought giggles trying to bring back a duvet from the States on one of the several famous trips to the Blue Jays games with mom and dad, Una and Helen. There will certainly be a big bridge game going on now! As well as other shenanigans I’m sure.
Dixie-I am really sorry to hear about your mothers passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Although I did not know Helen very well I can attest to the fact that she was a fun-loving character with a great laugh. She and my Mom had lots of good times together with other longtime Kelowna residents. I think Helen’s generation had a knack for living life as it should be lived.
Dixie, we are so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother. What an amazing woman with such a fulfilling life. She lives on in you and your children. Our thoughts are with you and yours.
Lane & Ron Shupe
I’m so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. What a great old gal. She had a humour and wit second to none and a mind as sharp as a tack. I really feel blessed having known her.
Grant, Mark, Claire and Dixie. I am so sorry to hear about your Mom. I have so many great memories from all the time our families spent together. I was at Disneyland last week with my kids and grandkids. My youngest could not go on the Matterhorn so we were waiting for the rest of them and all I could see was Mom and Helen laughing and having a ball as they splashed down through the water. Hard to believe that was 53 years ago! My love to all of you. Hugs Barb
Dixie and your family,
I am so sorry for your loss with your Mom’s passing.I trust you have many happy memories to help you through this time. My condolences to each of you.
Very sorry to hear of Helen’s passing – Will miss seeing her when I am in Kelowna, thinking of all of the family at this time. Christina
To all the family,
So sorry to hear of Aunt Helen’s passing. What a long and wonderful life she led. She will be missed a lot.
To all of the family my deepest Sympathy for the loss of your Mom. She enjoyed life to the fullest but now it was time to explore the other side and I am certain Helen will find it very peaceful on the the other side. Dita and Family
To all the family: I was so sad today to hear of Helen’s passing. Although it was not unexpected, I will miss her an enormous amount. I loved chatting with her about her life in Kelowna. I think it’s important to know at this time how proud she was of all of you and how much she told me about you. I loved her cheese cookies! We are all better for knowing such a strong and wonderful lady.