Helen Anita Hobson

It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of Helen Hobson, of Guelph, Ontario, on November 3, 2025, at the age of 90. Born Helen Anita Maki to Finnish parents John and Elma Maki in Sudbury on April 28, 1935. She spent her youth in Sudbury, excelled academically and earned a scholarship to the University of Western Ontario where she enrolled in the pre-med program. During her time at Western she was crowned the Queen of the Ball at the annual University Spencer Hall Ball in 1956, she won the Silver medal for top overall female academic, and she spent 3 months overseas in Japan as part of a national exchange program.

While working as a summer student in the medical clinic at Inco in the summer of 1955, she serendipitously met a young medical doctor, Ken Hobson, stationed in Sudbury. It didn’t take Ken long to recognise this exceptional woman, and to his incredible good fortune, he wasted no time in proposing marriage.

After a brief period for Helen teaching high school, and upon completion of Ken’s surgical studies in Toronto, the young couple and their two very young sons, John and Scott, moved to Guelph where Helen would sacrifice her professional career prospects to be a stay-at-home mom and allow Ken to establish his surgical practice. Two more sons, David and Jamie soon followed, after which they came to the somewhat belated realisation that the risk associated with any further attempts to produce a daughter far outweighed the potential rewards. Only after raising children of one’s own can one truly and fully appreciate the challenges involved. Most of those challenges fell largely on Helen’s shoulders as Ken was working all hours of the day and night for decades. With four rough, rambunctious young boys the demands on her patience were unrelenting but somehow, miraculously she survived and managed to maintain a balance between freedom and discipline. She became a sports fan and a vocal supporter of all her sons’ many athletic endeavours. She and Ken were strong supporters of St George’s Anglican Church volunteering whatever spare time was available for decades.

She could be a force of persuasion when necessary. When she discovered a house in a neighbourhood in Guelph that she felt was perfect for her growing family, she managed to convince the homeowner to sell even though it was not listed for sale at the time. That neighbourhood was Barber Avenue and she was right of course. It was an idyllic environment for raising children.

There were unforgettable summer days at the cottage. First at Lake Belwood, and then especially at Lake Joseph. The cottage became her summer home and sanctuary and allowed her to nurture the many members of her extended family and entertain a wide circle of friends, many avid tennis players from the medical community. She lived for big gatherings of family and/or friends and she had the experience and skills to pull it off perfectly. No guest ever left hungry. She perfected some dishes to a degree that was intimidating to anyone who might deem themselves worthy to challenge her mastery. Yet she wasn’t secretive and would share her knowledge with anyone that was interested, especially grandchildren.

She was a very generous grandma and great-grandma and introduced some of her grandchildren to the experience of European travel and history when she was still able. In her later years her medical problems limited her ability to travel abroad but she never missed a summer at her cottage on Lake Joseph. And she still drove herself to visit friends for lunch up to a month ago.

By nature she was independent, hardworking, proud, sharp as a tack right up to the end, and full of Sisu. A true Sudbury girl. She enjoyed living on her own after Ken died and rarely asked for help, but as her health declined she learned to accept the help of family, friends and neighbours at Arbour Trails. The family sends many thanks to Leslie Snell and especially to lifelong friend Shirley Hoffman (going strong at 96) for your companionship. We’d also like to thank Dr’s Hambly, Schwarz, and Gerson and the doctors, nurses and staff at Guelph General Hospital for their efforts, care, and compassion. She was predeceased by Ken (1998) her husband and love of her life, and is survived by sons John (Lee Ann), Scott (Sue), David (Shari) and Jamie (Tracy), her brother John Maki (Louise), grandchildren Michael, Sean, Amy, Emma, Thomas, Sydney, Lindsay, Samantha, Nicholas, Justin, Megan, Benjamin, and Natalie, and great grandchildren Madison, Bella, Caroline, Frederick, Farrah, Poppy and Maki. She was deeply loved and she will be sorely missed by all who had the good fortune to be a part of her life.

Visitation will take place at Gilbert MacIntyre & Son in the Hart Chapel at 1099 Gordon St., Guelph, ON, N1G 4X9 519-821-5077 on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Funeral Service at St. George’s Anglican Church on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Guelph General Hospital or St. George’s Anglican Church.