Helen Mary Elliott (Thur) (August 14, 1939 – April 14, 2024)
It is wish great sorrow that the family announce the passing of Helen Mary Elliott at the St. Joseph’s General Hospital in Elliot Lake on Sunday April 14, 2024 at the age of 84.
Daughter of Janet and Ed Thur, she was born in the family home in Timmins, Ontario on Monday August 14, 1939 just around suppertime. Parents and sister Diane Servant are predeceased. Surviving is Helen’s “baby” sister, Pat Mitchler, (Allen) and family in Edmonton, Alberta.
The anchor of her life, her husband, David (Dave) – left this life January 4, 2014 after 52 years of marriage. Also surviving, daughter Mary Beth, husband Mike Beck, granddaughters Jessica, Hailey and Brenna, Armstrong B.C. Scott and his wife Maria and granddaughter and grandson, Emily and Matthew of Charleston, South Carolina. Bruce and grandsons Grant, Ben and granddaughter Hannah of Elliot Lake.
Helen graduated from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in North Bay, 1960. Her first employment was in Elliot Lake where she gathered experience in labour and delivery and accepted a position in Labour and Delivery in Alaska later in 1961. But, as life happens, a blind date with constable Dave Elliott changed everything and they married late 1961.
Helen loved her work and each one of these babies were very special to her. She transferred premature and sick babies or those requiring surgery to Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury or Toronto. She was given the nickname “The Flying Nurse” by the local newspaper when transportation rather than the ambulance was a fixed winged aircraft or Air Canada. A short time later, Northern Ontario was provided with an air ambulance service which was a lear jet and helicopter.
Helen was a creative person with talents in needlework, knitting, gardening, cooking, travel, and photography. She put together a family history of photos dating from 1897 to present time for each of her eight grandchildren.
She will be remembered for the Christmas ornaments she made and gave to friends and family over the last 40 years. She also made Christmas stockings for babies born during the Christmas season.
There is no doubt that our mother and father are watching over us together as we raise our children and grandchildren and as usual, loving and encouraging us.
Friends were received at the Elliot Lake Funeral Chapel & Cremation Centre (36 Ontario Ave) on Saturday April 20, 2024 from 11 am until the time of the service at 1 pm. Rev. Cory Vermeer-Cuthbert officiated.
Interment will take place at a later date in Woodlands Cemetery, Elliot Lake.
In lieu of flowers, any donations to cancer research would be appreciated by the family.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to the Elliot Lake Funeral Chapel & Cremation Centre (36 Ontario Ave). Online condolences to the Elliott family may be made at www.elliotlakefuneralchapel.com