Helen Elizabeth Sproule

Helen Elizabeth Sproule, 94, of Kelowna, passed away peacefully to be with her Lord on March 3, 2022 with her family by her side. Born April 26, 1927, in Campbellton, New Brunswick, Canada, she was the daughter of the late James Firth, Aboyne, Que and Elizabeth J. McNair, New Mills, N.B., who was one of her greatest inspirations in life.

She was the valedictorian of her high school in Campbellton, New Brunswick. Helen moved to Fredericton, N.B. in 1961. She entered nursing school and subsequently left to care for her ailing mother. She started her family and worked for the Canadian National Railroad. In 1976, she followed her children to Kelowna where she was a long time resident working for the City of Kelowna as a secretary working with the Planning Department and Parkinson Recreation Center staffs. She also worked at the women’s shelter in Kelowna. Helen was a long time member of the United Church of Canada, Trinity Baptist Church, Kelowna since 1982.

Helen was an outgoing, fun and loving person who loved to dance, compete in athletic games, travel, read and write, solve crossword puzzles and was also a member of the choral club as a young girl. She took many trips to Hawaii to visit her daughter, Suzie, and traveled to many locations in the US and Mexico, as well as cruises to Alaska and the Caribbean with her family. Most of all, she dearly loved her family and grandchildren. Affectionately known as “Gram”, she always provided great joy and laughter at family gatherings and loved to bake with her family.

She was preceded in death by her brother J.A. (Archie ) Firth, Sarnia, Ont; sister Kaye (Bill) Matheson, Sechelt, B.C.; son Harold Gordon Sproule, Summerland, B.C.; John Millican, Campbellton, N.B. and Dave Sproule, Fredericton, N.B. (spouses).

She will be sadly missed by those she so dearly touched, daughter in law, Linda Sproule, Kelowna, BC; daughter, Susan E. (Thomas) Tarquinio, Waleska, GA; step daughter, Eleanor (the late Ross) MacKenzie, Toronto; four grandchildren, Dylan Sproule, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Gavin (Lindsay) Tarquinio, Atlanta, Ga; Brianna (Chris DePont) Sproule, Kelowna, BC; and Luke Tarquinio, Waleska, Ga. She is survived by two great grandchildren, Kai and Bodhi Tarquinio. She is also survived by Gordy (Penny) McNair, Ottawa, Ont; Sybil (Jack) Young, daughters Rachel and Emily, Sechelt, B.C.; Diane (Dez) Delaney, son Alex, Gibson, B.C.; Janet Matheson, daughters Amy and Lindsay, Sechelt, B.C.; Bill ( Alphie) Millican, Moncton, N.B.; Nancy Millican, St. Andrews, N.B., and numerous very special nephews, nieces, great niece and great nephews and cousins.

A private family service will be arranged at a later date in Maui, Hawaii.

The family would also like to extend its profound gratitude to Dr. Shari Claremont, Vince RN, and the staff of Mission Creek Landing in Kelowna, where Helen spent the last two years of her life. The tender love and genuine care she received will always be remembered and deeply appreciated.

If anyone would like to donate in Helen’s memory, contributions can be made to Mission Creek Landing by calling directly to 250-860-2330 or sending a check directly to Mission Creek Landing Recreation Department, 3081 Hall Rd. Kelowna, B.C., Canada V1W2R5