Helga Nielsen

Passed away peacefully at the Guelph General Hospital on the afternoon of Friday October 20th, 2023.

Helga was born in pre-war Janderup Denmark to Mads and Laura Frandsen. The youngest of three, she was raised amongst the green-houses of the family nursery.

In 1956, after completing her training as a hair-dresser, Helga married her dashing beau, a young sailor named Johan (1933 - 2012). Their honeymoon trip took them to Ontario, Canada where they made their home, took on a new language and developed many life-long friendships. Helga loved to create in the kitchen and she enjoyed an active social life with neighbours and friends in the Danish community. She was an avid reader, often going through a book or two per week.

Helga is survived by her 3 children; Gary (Cathy Johnson), Linda (John Taylor) and Dan (ex Sylvie Laperrière). She was the proud and loving grandmother of Ben (Toby Gelinas), Kristina (Taylor Loewen), Cameron (1991 - 2012), Laura (Daniel Rocha), Emma, William, Audrey and Marie and Great Grandmother to Hannah and Gabriel. Helga is also survived by her sister Anne of Denmark and her many Danish nieces and nephews.

Helga’s working life in Canada began at Calvert’s Nursery in Brampton in 1956, and included her early career as a hairdresser, ownership and operation of Tecum Furniture stores throughout the 70’s with Johan and finally working at the jewelry department at Sears before retiring in the mid 90’s. In recent years, Helga could be found putting in her 10 000 steps on her Fitbit while walking her dog Curley around the Guelph Arboretum where she resided since 2011.

Interment will be held at a later date. She will join Johan at Mindeparken at the Sunset Villa Danish association in Puslinch.

In lieu of flowers donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or Sunset Villa Association would be appreciated. Donations may be made online through Gilbert MacIntyre and Son at www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com or in person at the funeral home by cash or cheque.