Helen Patricia Owens

It is with sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved mother Helen Owens on June 24. She was born in Prince Edward Island, to the late Jack and Ida, (Deegan), Lawless. At the age of 3, Helen moved with her family to Saint John New Brunswick, where she grew up. Early in life she enjoyed spending her summers with family in PEI and later with family at her cottage in Pictou. For forty-five years Helen was a member of Saint Thomas Aquinas Church where she was involved with the Catholic Women’s league, holding titles in several offices. In addition to raising eight children, she volunteered at Hope Cottage, Girl Guides, and canvassed for many charitable organizations including the March of Dimes, The United Way and the Canadian Cancer Society.

Helen was a devoted and loving wife, a caring and proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved having family and especially children around her all the time. In 1942 she married the love of her life, Allan. They lived on Cedar Street for 40 years until Allan’s death in 1982. Helen loved playing cards, especially cribbage where she brought the luck of the Irish to every game

Family was the most important thing to Helen and she devoted her life to all of us. She is survived by her children Eileen (Martin) Cummings, Dartmouth; Allan (Nancy) Owens, Sackville; Lynda (Bud), Feron, Dartmouth; Kathy (Bill deceased) Fultz, Halifax; Dan Owens, Toronto; Hugh (Dorothy) Owens, Halifax; Valerie Owens (Dave Aasen), Calgary; and son-in-law Roderick Burke, River Bourgeois.

Helen is also survived by her grandchildren, Blair, (Shauna) Burke; Angele, (Vince) Tassone,; Ramona, (Kelvin deceased) Burke; Marina Burke; Kara-Leigh Burke;. Michael, (Kate) Cummings; Kris Cummings; Timothy, (Catherine) Cummings; Scott Owens; Mathew, (Holly) Owens; Michael, (Cheryl) Owens; Jennifer, (Jim), Feron; Ryan, (Karun) Feron; John Feron; Ellen Feron; Mark Fultz; David, (Rachel) Fultz; Jennifer Sinclair, Kaitlin Owens; Calla Owens and 23 great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents Helen is predeceased by her beloved husband Allan, (1982); her cherished daughter Margaret Burke (2013); and Anne in infancy. She is also predeceased by her brothers Lorne, (Theresa) Lawless and Ralph, (Helen) Lawless. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Helen was a grand lady whose humor, patience and love will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 3 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Cruikshank’s Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor St. Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, July 4 at 11 am from St. Thomas Aquinas Church with Father Mark Cherry presiding. Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice.