Helen Roberts

Helen Patricia (Finlay) Roberts, following a short illness, passed

away peacefully in Canmore, Alberta with family by her side.

Helen was born to Thomas Aloysius and Sarah Helen (Ross) Finlay

in St. Thomas, Ontario. She was predeceased by her parents,

sister Elizabeth (Finlay) Thomson, and husband of 55 years,

John C "Jack" Roberts.

Helen is survived by her sons Jeffrey (Dorelle) of Canmore, Alberta, and Todd (Peter) of Providence, Rhode Island; her grandchildren Brendan, Thomas, and Alexandra; and nephews Tom, Rick and Rob Thomson and their families.

Nan, as she became collectively known to her grandkids and

an untold number of surrogate grandkids, spent most of her life

living in St. Thomas, recently moving to Canmore, Alberta to be

closer to family.

On May 15, 1959 Helen married Jack who become her lifelong partner in crime. Very shortly after, Jeffrey was born and the three moved to a home in Union, Ontario. Todd arrived next and the home became our family center for over 20 years, often expanding as nephews came and went from time to time.

As the nest emptied, Helen and Jack proceeded on a number of real estate adventures including St. Thomas, Port Stanley, and Kelowna before settling in to Symphony Court in Lyndhurst in the mid 90's.

Likely the most special memories that Helen had, were the times spent in Port Stanley at their lakefront home where she and

"Jack-Jack" hosted their extended brood: Jeff, Dorelle, "Bren",

"Tom-Tom", "Alzy", Todd, and Peter.

In addition to managing the lives of the three males in her household, Helen found the time and energy to obtain a BA from

the University of Western Ontario. Helen taught English as a Second Language to newcomers through Fanshawe College, and taught yoga and relaxation at St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital Addiction Unit. She was an avid golfer at the St. Thomas Golf and Country Club, founding member of the Women's Committee of the St. Thomas-Elgin Art Gallery (serving as President of the Women's Committee in 1971), and a voracious reader. She travelled frequently in later years to Europe, Florida, Cape Cod, and Alberta. After Jack's passing in 2014, and finding her home too large, Helen embarked on her next great adventure- relocating to Canmore, Alberta.

Ever determined and independent, Helen moved into her own condo in Canmore and quickly settled into life in "the Valley". She could be found walking the trails in and around Canmore with her walking group, enjoying her new book club, drinking coffees on Main St., and sipping G&Ts on her balcony overlooking the Rocky Mountains. Living in Canmore allowed Helen to spend much more time with her grandchildren during their frequent visits home.

Helen was ahead of her time in many ways and will be fondly remembered by her many friends in St. Thomas, Fort Lauderdale

and Canmore. According to Helen's wishes, she will be cremated

and interred with Jack at Union Cemetery, Union, Ontario.

Helen's family would like to thank the outstanding support from medical professionals at Canmore General Hospital, Canmore Fire Rescue, Richmond Road Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Calgary, and Canmore Associate Medical Clinic, in particular, Dr. Kim Sargent whose compassion was greatly appreciated.

There will be celebrations of life in both St. Thomas and Canmore, both at later dates yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in St. Thomas to

the St. Thomas Elgin Public Arts Center (http://www.stepac.ca/support-.html) and in Canmore

to the Canmore and Area Health Care Foundation (https://canmorehealthfoundation.com/donate).

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.