Helen Patricia Oursin

Helen Patricia Oursin was blessed with an abundance of leadership qualities. It would be accurate to say that this woman was an outstanding luminary and that her natural abilities served her well. She knew with certainty how she wanted to set priorities in all aspects of her life. She struck those who knew her as the kind of person who awoke in the morning with a clear sense of exactly what she expected from her day and how to set about accomplishing those goals. Helen was a woman who definitely liked order and was most comfortable with an organized and structured lifestyle. When this climate was absent, Helen would set about immediately to create it.

      Helen was born on June 6, 1939 at Glacé Bay Hospital in Glacé Bay, Nova Scotia. Her parents were John Archibald Morrison -- Anna Stasia (Donovan) Morrison. Helen was raised in Hillside Avenue, Glacé Bay, Nova Scotia. Helen was brought up to be reasonable in her actions and was taught to use her intellect wisely. She was an honest and straightforward child, traits that reinforced her self-confidence. Even at a young age, Helen was credited with having a positive influence on those around her.

      The positive atmosphere that Helen generated spread to her family. Helen was raised with Nine (9). She has two sisters living Margie & Anna, one brother living Myron, three sisters deceased Mary, Isabel, Theresa, three brothers deceased Jimmy, John, & Paul. Helen served as a catalyst within the family. She often found herself in the role of providing fair solutions to those sibling disputes. In every family activity, Helen was able to demonstrate her uncommon logic and skill at building compromise.

      When it came to academics and school, Helen's organizational skills reaped dividends. Helen was able to create a system for getting her class work done in a proper and timely manner. With a strong ability to analyze her schoolwork and assignments, she could apply a practical, common sense approach completing her studies. She showed a natural curiosity in the manner in which she tackled new types of problems and would regularly challenge her own reasoning ability in finding solutions. She graduated from St. Anne's High School, Glacé Bay, NS in 1957. She enjoyed some courses more than others and developed favorite classes and teachers. Mom enjoyed her lab class. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was the lab teacher. Very smart, top of her class all through school.

      In a group of friends and acquaintances, Helen was typically the first person to take the initiative to go up and greet someone new. That quality made her very approachable by others throughout her life. This same quality brought Helen the reward of many friends. Maintaining loyalty to those friends was a trait that came naturally to Helen. She believed that she should treat others in a fair manner, in the same way she wanted to be treated. Helen also showed a great deal of appreciation for the accomplishments of her friends. While growing up, some of her best friends were lifelong friends Valerie LeBlanc, Sharon MacDonald, Helen Stanwick, Linda Jewels, Claire Nightingale, Charles MacDonald, Bill MacInnis. Later in life, she became friends with Barbara Oursin, Tracey Oursin, Pauline Annesty, Pauline Graham, Marguerite Dockrill, Rosella Campbell, Leona & Lloyd Hussey, Alice & Mike Almond.

      As Helen knew in other aspects of her life, she had a clear vision of what she sought in a relationship and worked hard to achieve it. On October 28, 1961 Helen exchanged wedding vows with Frank Victor Oursin at St. Anne's Church, Glacé Bay, NS of Glacé Bay, NS. Frank (Bucky) was a significant part of her life, and it wasn’t necessary for Helen to be overly sentimental or expressive about it for others to be aware of their mutual devotion. Helen's secret to success was that she always kept the lines of communication open in the marriage and applied the important skill of being a good listener.

      Family and children were important to Helen, even if she didn’t always show it. Helen was blessed with two daughters Heather & Anji. They were also blessed with One grandson Austin. Helen was able to keep order in the family by using the same efficient and straightforward methods with the family as she did at work. Helen rarely made a scene when it came to discipline. Instead, she was subtle and patient in her dealings when teaching the children right from wrong.

      At work Helen was viewed as a natural leader. She could marshal all of the available resources, including personnel and materials, in order to meet virtually any objective. She was great at developing strategies and made maximum progress with little wasted effort. Helen was also adept at uncovering new and more efficient ways of getting things done. She was able to establish and meet objectives and schedules through long range planning and was always able to keep the big picture clearly in sight. Although Helen might have been described by some as an overachiever, she was without question a dedicated and diligent employee. Her primary occupation was as a Stenographer. She was employed at numerous jobs, Town Hall - Glacé Bay, Bank of NS - Sydney, NS, Provincial Bldg-Consumer Services, Sydney, NS, Telephone Companies in Halifax, NS, Moncton, NB, & in Boston, Mass.

      Not only did Helen find pleasure in pursuing her various hobbies, she also enjoyed the discovery and research involved in learning about them. Her skill at problem solving had a positive influence on these activities as well. Her favorite pursuits were decorating, designing, gardening, dancing, skating, knitting, crocheting, and puzzles.

      No matter what the activity was, Helen had the ability to motivate others. This talent influenced her participation in sports, too. She sought out the possibilities in a competitive situation, and she stayed cool and calm under pressure. She relished the stimulation of the action and energy associated with sports. In high school, Helen & her friends enjoyed gymnastics. Recreational sports included bowling, darts, cards. She was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were curling, Toronto Blue Jays, & hockey.

      Helen's ability to motivate, direct and organize others made her a valuable asset to the organizations to which she contributed during her lifetime. Helen was one who could be counted on to work hard to implement goals and required little to begin work on a specific task. Once a project was begun, Helen had a definite methodology for seeing it through to completion. Throughout her later years, Helen was an active member of the Catholic Women's League.

      Helen was a woman who took pride in upholding her beliefs. When she became active in community affairs, she did so in the same determined and forthright manner that she applied to other aspects of her life, serving on committees for anything to do with the church, tea & sales, many other events & fund raisers. Decorating the church for all occasions. Politically, Helen was NDP.

      Helen lived her life guided by a well-defined set of beliefs. Her faith and religion were important aspects of those beliefs. She was a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish 47 years and also a member of the CWL 47 years. Served as President and Chairperson for Spiritual& Public Relations. During that time, she was Eucharist Minister, Member of the Parish Council & Liturgy Committee.

      There were occasions in Helen's life where she would find herself involved in a cause or leading an organization and event where her drive to complete the project or meet the established goal was more important than her concern for the philosophy behind it. It was this kind of commitment and drive that earned her praise and honors throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included many acknowledgements for her creativity, devotion, faith and supportive ways. Mom also received with pride her 40 year pin with the CWL.

      Traveling, especially vacations, was another way for Helen to apply her exceptional leadership and organizational skills. She liked exploring different places but also enjoyed designing and scheduling the trips in advance. She had real talent for developing the perfect itineraries. Favorite vacations included Cuba, Florida, New York, Boston, P.E.I., Ingonish, and Seal Island Trailer Park.

      Helen was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Helen's favorites was Kwan-dog, Sweetpea-dog, JerseyGirl-dog, & Parker-cat. They were best friends for Kwan- 16years, Sweetpea- 13 years, JerseyGirl- 8 years, Parker- 2 years. As a child mom grew up with her family having a lot of farm animals along with dogs and cats. She also loved her additional four-legged grandchildren Luna (cat), and Jasper (dog).

      When Helen's retirement finally came in 1986 from Consumer Services, Provincial Building, Sydney, NS, she was well prepared. She had worked out all of the details well in advance and knew exactly what she was going to do. Helen remained living in Sydney, Cape Breton, NS for the rest of her life. In retirement, she found pleasure in gardening, decorating, designing, and swimming in her heated pool. Always a well-informed person, Helen enjoyed adding to her wealth of knowledge. Retirement afforded her the time to enjoy that experience and provided one more opportunity to look ahead at what life might offer her.

      Helen passed away on April 18, 2017 at home with her family close to her. Mom had been ill for 5 years, 6 months. She suffered a brain aneurism in 2011, she developed Parkinson's, mom had aortic stenosis and an abdominal aneurism. She is survived by her husband, Frank, daughters Heather & Anji, grandson, Austin, son-in-law Eldon Jordon, pets Parker And JerseyGirl. Services were held at Dignity Memorial-T. W. Curry Parkview Chapel and Funeral service was celebrated at Lady of Fatima Church Sydney River. Helen will be laid to rest in the Resurrection Cemetery, Howie Center, NS.

      Helen Patricia Oursin knew what she wanted from life and never hesitated in going after it. She could be characterized as a driven individual, someone who understood the importance of achievement. Helen was decisive and outspoken at times but was also positive and upbeat about most things. She was a leader, both intentionally and sometimes by default. If she saw that something needed to be done, she was always ready to step up and actualize, organize and implement a plan. WE LOVE YOU MOM ❤❤❤

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Helen Patricia Oursin

Sydney

On Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at the age of 77, a wonderful woman went to Heaven. Many are left to mourn this heart wrenching loss. She has blessed all with beautiful memories. Helen’s passing was very peaceful at home with family.

She was a fabulous mother, a loving wife and a kind and caring friend. Those who knew her loved her witty, fun loving personality. She enjoyed life to the fullest until her illness took over in 2011. She fought to the very end to make the best of her life with enormous support from family, friends and Health Care professionals. “To know her was to love her.”

Born in Glace Bay, she was the daughter of the late John Archibald and Anna Stasia (Donovan) Morrison. She worked at the Town Hall in Glace Bay, the Bank of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Post and the Provincial Bldg – Consumer Services.

She was a member of the former Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, Mira Road. Helen was faithfully involved in the Catholic Women’s League of Canada, serving as President, Treasurer and Chairperson for Spiritual & Public Relations. She was willing to lend her touch of décor to the church and church hall. She was also a member of the choir for a number of years and served as a Lector as well as a Eucharistic Minister and was at one time, a member of the Parish Council and Liturgy Committee. She will be sadly missed by her friends of The Monday night prayer group.

Helen loved gardening and get togethers around the swimming pool with her friends and family.

She is survived by her loving husband Frank ‘Bucky’; daughters Heather Oursin and Anji Oursin-Dawe (Eldon Jordan); grandson Austin Dawe, all of Sydney; sisters Margie Williams; Anne Morrison; brother Myron Morrison (Linda), brother-in-law David Oursin; sisters-in-law Linda Morrison, Jean Briand, Theresa Tubrett, Anne Cameron, Barbara Oursin; many nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends as well as by her fur buddies; dog, Jersey Girl and cat Parker.

She was predeceased by sisters Mary Daley, Isabel Morrison, Theresa Morrison; brothers James, John and Paul Morrison.

Visitation for Mrs. Oursin will take place from 4- 8 pm on Friday, April 21 at T.W.Curry Parkview Chapel. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Saturday, April 22 at Our Lady of Fatima Church with Fr. Bill Burke officiating.

Donations may be made to the Hospice Palliative Care Society of Cape Breton County. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.twcurry.com