Our hearts beat with profound loss as we announce the passing of Helen on February 1st, 2025 in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. Helen died as she lived, in peace and gentleness and full of grace. She was born at home in Upper Margaree on January 4th, 1939, a daughter of the late Angus Allan and Margaret (Gillis) Gillis. Helen grew up in Upper Margaree, attended school there and high school at Margaree Forks. Helen graduated from St. Joseph's School of Nursing, Glace Bay in the class of 1959. She was a compassionate, empathetic and comforting nurse in all situations, who loved caring for others. She always believed that her nurses cap was a proud badge of her profession. In the April 1997 issue of MacLean's Magazine, Helen was one of the Halifax nurses featured in a cover article "The Nurses". She was interviewed and pictured with a patient at the Veteran's Memorial Building of the QEII. Her thirty-eight years nursing career included positions in Inverness, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, retiring from the QEII in 1997 and moved back home. No place was dearer to her than her beloved Margaree. Helen was a member of St. Joseph's parish, South West Margaree. As a firm believer in the power of good St. Anne, she made frequent pilgrimages to the Shrine of Saint-Anne-de-Beaupre, Quebec. She also went on group pilgrimages to Medugorje. Her faith guided her throughout life until the end.
Helen's love of travel began at a young age and took her to exotic locations all over the world. Her trips were made by car, bus, on the rails, above the clouds and over the waves. Helen grew up hearing Cape Breton fiddle music, which she loved. Because of her reluctance to step into the spotlight, few knew that she was an accomplished piano player. In her youth, she and her sisters scrambled upstairs to bed in the midst of a ceilidh and fell asleep as fiddle tunes and step dancing vibrated the rafters in the old homestead. No doubt there was a symphony of fiddlers and a receiving line of angels greeting her in the realms beyond.
Helen's memory is cherished by her surviving family, sisters, Marie Grady (Leland) New Glascow, Alison Gillis Upper Margaree, Hughena Boyden (Brian) Halifax, Allana Mac Farlane (the late Ron) Sydney; numerous nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews.
Besides her parents, she was sadly predeceased by her sister, Catherine; and brother-in-law, Ron Mac Farlane.
Helen was a generous doner to many charities. Should you wish to donate in her memory, please consider St. Joseph's Cemetery Fund, South West Margaree, Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital or to a charity of choice.
The family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Helen's care team at the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care during her lengthy stay. The staff of the palliative care unit went above and beyond to keep Helen and her family informed and comfortable.
Visitation will take place in Inverness Funeral Home on Friday May 1, 2025 from 3-7 pm. Funeral Mass to be held on May 2nd in St. Joseph's Church, South West Margaree at 11:00 am. Burial to follow in the parish cemetery. Also, there will be a reception in the local Parish Hall after the burial.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com
"Let the gentle currant of the Margaree River flow with memories of Helen forever."
