Helen Brass

Helen Brass (nee Harvey) was born at Torphichen Place, Edinburgh, Scotland. She was one of six children and the oldest girl born to James and Ina Harvey who were from the Orkney Islands. James was a police sergeant in Edinburgh and when Helen left school, she worked as a short hand typist at the police head quarters. When war broke out she joined the A.T.S and was transferred all over Britain.

In 1942, while on holiday in Orkney, she met the love of her life, Sidney Brass and they were married 3 months later. Being a city girl she had to learn to milk a cow, feed chickens and live without electricity and all modern conveniences! They worked and lived in a number of places in Scotland and later became Inn Keepers at the Tower Hotel in Crieff, Perthshire.

In 1981, recession hit Scotland and they decided to immigrate to Canada to be with their children. Canmore became home to them where they managed the Nurses Residence. Helen worked part time at the Settlers Cabin and babysat Amber and Holly Gibson, loving the fact she had two little girls to spoil.

Helen was born to bake scones, cakes and most famously her "Short Bread". In her spare time needle point was a passion and we all have pictures to remember her by.

In 2007, no longer able to live on her own, she moved into St. Martha's Place, Banff Mineral Springs Hospital where she spent 4 very happy years. She loved her accommodation and the love and care she received there.

On the morning of February 14, 2012, Valentines Day, she left this earth and went to be with her Valentine of nearly 70 yrs, Sidney. Left to grieve are her son Michael (Sharon), Lone Butte BC; Kevin; Glenn (Kerry), Chilliwack BC; her daughter Maureen Brass, Sorrento BC; Elliot(Gabriella), Squamish, BC; Cameron (Lacey -Lee), New Westminster, BC; Amber; Holly, Edmonton; as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Canada, Australia, South Africa and Scotland.

A private gathering will be held in the spring to celebrate her well lived life.

Cremation has taken place and Sidney and Helen's ashes will be taken by family back to Scotland later this year.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's name can be made to Health Care Foundation, Covenant Health, Banff Mineral Springs Hospital, P.O. Box 1050, Banff, Alberta, T1L1H7

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.