Helen’s family immigrated to Canada in 1924. At 13, Helen lost her mother. Helen left school at 16 to contribute to the family income by picking hops, peas, tobacco and raspberries. She loved attending Bible school (1938–42). For two years, she taught vacation Bible school for Western Children’s Mission. During WWII, Helen worked for wealthy people in Vancouver and lived at the Maedchenheim. Helen and Peter corresponded while he was a conscientious objector in a forestry camp. When Helen and Peter lived in a new chicken barn covered in shiplap, she became critically ill with pneumonia and pleurisy. They planted raspberries, and when the market crashed, sold the car to pay the pickers. When Peter was out of town on construction projects, Helen ran the farm. She was a creative seamstress. She taught Sunday school at Yarrow MB. After Peter’s death, Helen did visitation, worked in a gift shop, volunteered at Tabor Home and sorted clothes for MCC. With the Yarrow MB ladies’ club, she cut blankets for MCC and knit pneumonia vests for newborns. She led a Bible study for 5 years. When her eyesight prevented her from driving, Helen attended Clearbrook MB. After a brief bout with pneumonia, she died peacefully.
