Helen McMillan Haberfield

Helen McMillan Blair Haberfield passed away on October 24, 2026, at the age of 78. Born May 9, 1948, at Johnstone Hospital in Johnstone, Scotland, just outside of Port Glasgow, Helen was known from an early age for a gentle reserve and a steady devotion to the things she loved most, music and animals. She attended Jean Street Public School and later Port Glasgow High School, and after graduation began working at a bank in Greenock, Scotland. In 1966, Helen came to Canada, staying for a couple of months with her sister Janet "Jenny" and Jenny’s husband Ron. She took an office job at the Nestle Factory and later shared an apartment with her friends Ann and Olive. During this time, her love of animals was especially evident in her care for her horses, first Frisco, and then her beloved Jaime. In 1967, feeling the pull of home, she returned to Scotland, later moving to Nottingham, England, where she worked as a legal secretary in a law firm.

On September 9, 1972, Helen met her husband, Philip, at the 99 club in Nottingham, England. They were married on April 21, 1973, and built a life together grounded in loyalty, partnership, and shared purpose. Their first son, Craig, was born in Nottingham on June 29, 1974. In 1975, Helen and Philip immigrated to Toronto, Canada, where they welcomed their second child, Sally, on April 23, 1977. In 1979, the family moved to the small village of Chippawa in Niagara, and in 1986 they settled in Niagara Falls, where their third child, Kyle, was born on August 6, 1986. Together, Helen and Philip ran a travel agency for many years until retirement, work that suited Helen’s enduring fascination with the wider world and her appreciation for the experiences that bring people closer to one another.

Travel remained one of Helen’s great passions throughout her life. She visited Greece, Spain, France, many places in the United States and Canada, and the Caribbean, as well as the Isle of Jersey and Lanzarotte, Spain in the Canary Islands. Her sense of independence and determination showed early, she even drove her green Austin mini from Scotland to Greece in her late teens.

Helen’s love of music was a constant thread, expressed with quiet dedication and genuine joy. She sang and played piano and guitar, and in her early years performed in many school plays. In later years, her commitment to music carried her across North America in competition with her singing groups, Bayside Harmony Chorus and Circle of Harmony Chorus, including trips to Syracuse, New York; San Antonio, Texas; and St. Louis, Missouri.

Helen was the wife of Philip Haberfield for 53 years. She was a beloved mother to Craig (Sharron), Sally (David), and Kyle (Katy), and a cherished grandmother to Olivia, Ethan, Kinsley, Kasey, Keenan, Connor, and Matthew. She was the sister of Janet "Jenny" and James "Jim," and a loving aunt to Kirsty, Jim, Heather, Emma, and Robert. Helen’s affection for animals was reflected in the many dogs who were part of her life—Midge, Queenie, Ally, Clair, Wallace, Ceasar, Chloe, Panda—and many grand dogs. She was predeceased by her parents, Helen and James "Jim" Blair.

Visitation will take place at Patterson Funeral Home, 6062 Main St., Niagara Falls, ON, on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. A Funeral Service will follow in the funeral home chapel at 1:00 pm.

As an expression of sympathy, donations to either Therapy Tails Ontario or to Niagara Falls SPCA and Humane Society would be appreciated by the family. Memories, photos and condolences may be made at www.pattersonfuneralhome.com.