Helen Gertrude Grassick

Beloved mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, Helen passed away peacefully at the Foothills Medical Centre, in Calgary, Alberta, after a brief illness. Helen was born and raised on the family farm near Elgin, Manitoba. She trained as a nurse in Brandon and later became a Radiological Technician. In 1978 she retired as Chief Radiological Technician at Calgary General Hospital. Helen was an active member of Parkdale United Church for over 60 years, contributing in many ways as a volunteer in worship, an Elder, member of the UCW, and a caring visitor to shut-ins. She enthusiastically participated in the most recent renovations of the church, turning up with paintbrush in hand bright and early in the morning. She took special care of her little house on Westmount Road, taking great pride in maintaining it and keeping her gardens in immaculate condition. Helen was energetic and active throughout her life and, even near the end, loved playing bridge and board games with her friends at the church, at the Chartwell Colonel Belcher Retirement Residence, and at Parkdale Nifty Fifties. Until very recently she enjoyed driving her friends to church every Sunday. She very much enjoyed her regular visits with friends and former colleagues, and looked forward to dinners with her family, usually arriving early! Helen was the last of her immediate family, having been predeceased by her parents, James and Maggie Moffat (Maguire), and by sisters Edith, Elizabeth, Bertha and Eva; and brothers Allan, Albert, Ernest and James. She is survived by son and daughter-in-law, Patrick and Sandi Grassick; by grandson, Jeremy, and his wife Rebecca Vaughan of Fernie, BC; grand-daughter, Amanda, her wife Colleen Prince, and great-granddaughters, Hazel and Lyndell, all of Orleans, Ontario; grandson, Daniel, of St. Albert, Alberta; and by numerous nieces and nephews across Canada. She was loved and admired by many and was an inspiration to all of us in the way that she embraced life and cherished her independence. Many thanks to her excellent medical team and the caring and compassionate staff at Unit 32 of the Foothills, to her special friends, Margaret, Isabel, and Jessie; to her minister, Rev. Dr. Murray Laverty; and to staff and friends at the Chartwell Colonel Belcher, whose company has given much pleasure to her last years. A celebration of Helen’s life will take place at Parkdale United Church on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. In honour of Helen’s love of life, please wear bright colours. Internment will follow later in the family plot at the Elgin Cemetery in Manitoba. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favourite charity. Expressions of sympathy can be sent care of Pierson Funeral Service at www.piersons.ca.