Helen was born February 8, 1923 at North Battleford, Saskatchewan to Gordon and Mary Shepherd. Helen overcame cancer in 1987 and again in 1996, succumbed to another battle with cancer on August 13, 2009 with her family at her side.
Helen grew up on the family farm near North Battleford. Helen was the oldest child; she loved the farm and helping her dad. She became very skilled with the horses and could easily handle a team of eight.
After high school Helen attended Normal School in Saskatoon to obtain a teaching certificate, but she was called to work because there was a shortage of teachers during the war. Her first job was in the Spiritwood Saskatchewan area. There she met Charles Sullivan. Charles and Helen were married in 1944. In July 1948 they moved to Houston with their 2 oldest sons, Jack and Bill. Ruth, Jim, Wayne, Margaret, Grace and Dan were added to the family after moving to Houston
Helen was the last teacher at the log cabin school which is now part of the Steelhead Park. Helen cooked in the family logging camps then later did books for the service station and dealership.
Helen was active in many sports playing softball until she was 45. the family travelled throughout the area for many years playing ball, when she wasn’t playing she was the men’s scorekeeper.
After Charles, the love of her life, passed away in 1989, she became very involved it the Seniors Association. She travelled to the Seniors Games for floor curling several times. Helen was part of all seniors’ activities, breakfasts, lunches, cards and games.
Helen was very active in the community, she spent many hours volunteering, and she was a member of the Houston Athletic Association, the United Church, the Women’s Institute, Seniors Association, Houston Health Board, Cancer Society and Hospice Society. Helen received the first Volunteer of the Year Award for Houston in 1993. Helen was made a Freeman of the District of Houston in 2004.
Helen was a great fan of the Houston Luckies (rarely missing a game) Toronto Blue Jays and Canucks. Helen loved flowers, gardening, riding her bike, horses, nature and playing cards with her friends. Helen enjoyed her annual trips back home to Saskatchewan to visit family and friends. She especially enjoyed the reunion of 2007 celebrating the 100 years of her family in Canada.
Helen was a wonderful mother, devoted grand-mother, great grandmother and friend. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
Survived by : Jack & Grace - Kim (Craig) - Tyson, Taylor. Rod- Celeste, David, Auston. Natalie (Elgin) - Syleesta, Kahli, Ben
Bill & Louise - Marty (Donalda) - Brady, Darcee. John (Sally) - Meghan, Heidi, Keaton, Claire, Mitchell. Murray(Cindy) - Charles, Maryn. Nadine (Vern) - Colton, Hayden, Quinn
Ruth & Dwaine - Randy (Louise) - Kayla, Shaylene, Kyle. Ronda (Lyle) - Justin, Ashtynne, Cole.
Jim & Kathy (predeceased) - Jason, Sean, Ryan.
Wayne - Angela (Lincoln) - Cali, Paige, Mikayel.
Marg - Laura (Wayne) - Brisen, Brandon, Jardyn, Jaylyn. Dallas (Jen) - Kaylie. Jess (Nicki)
Grace & Brendan - Jordan, Grant, Elizabeth, Mary.
Dan.
Also survived by: Sisters - Lorna (John) Pearson. Nancy (Ray) Meyer. Linda (Walter) Ard.
Sister-in-law - Clare Shepherd, Barb Perpelecta
Brother-in-law - Bob Sullivan and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by - Husband Charles, parents - Mary & Gordon Shepherd,?brother Bob, son Jim and daughter-in-law Kathy