Helen Mary Lamping (nee Aiello)

Helen Lamping - elegant, energetic, intelligent, loving and fierce. There were no half-way measures with Helen. Only the most delicious food, prepared with love and care, were acceptable at her table. Her high standards extended to bridge playing, which she played until the age of 100 and regularly had top points. She loved to be surrounded by plants and flowers both inside and outside her home. While her husband, Vin, tended the vegetables, Helen ruled over the flower beds.

Their marriage lasted 47 years and was a testament to true love characterized by a courtship filled with night clubs and dancing to a marriage blessed with three children, Donna, Gina and Tony. Helen and Vin were thrilled to welcome five grandchildren – Monique, Colin and Luke Brennan, and Connor and Calvin Lamping. Now there are three great grandchildren who were all fortunate to know her, Vincent, Mattea and Riley.

Helen was a powerhouse in so many ways. At work, she was efficient, organized and innovative. She essentially ran St Edward's school (Greenfield Ave) for 25 years. Principals came and went, but Helen was the constant that cared for the students and teachers alike. From skinned knees to last minute Gestetner copies of work sheets, Helen saved the day. The boxes of chocolates at Christmas filled the house, which we kids thought was fabulous.

After retirement, Helen worked for and with her dearest friend and brother- in- law, R. Gordon Bell. This working relationship went well into their 80s, organizing the books for Uncle Gordon's many endeavours.

Helen stayed in our home at 99 Kingsdale Avenue for 65 years. No one was ever turned away, and a drink and homemade food was always on offer. We had many lively parties for family and friends, and the Christmas Eve parties were renowned. I know the nuns at Loretto Abbey chapel certainly knew when the Lamping entourage arrived for midnight mass! And Sister Scholastica always showed us to the front row.

Helen was born and raised in Niagara Falls to Teresa (Carbone) Aiello and Antonio (Tony) Aiello. The house on Buchanan Avenue swelled with 5 children: Louise, Helen, Lil, Eugene and Albert. Helen was a beauty and she and her friend, notably Rose Loccoco and Marie Peters, would be seen around town on their roller skates turning heads and breaking hearts. She worked at the movie theatre, Cupolo Sports, and the Niagara Falls Review. It was at The Review where Vincent P. Lamping caught sight of Helen for the first time. Dad was a rural route manager and not often in the office. When he saw Helen, he said to his co-worker, "I'm going to marry that girl!" And on May 10, 1947, he did just that.

Niagara Falls was a frequent destination for the Lamping family. Helen loved to go "home" to the Falls to see the large, happy, busy family, often all seated around the Delduca's ping pong table laden with food. The 18 cousins would laugh, play and explore while the parents would compare homemade wines or go for beers at The Venetian. Summers would find us all in Port Dover learning to swim and eating perch at The Arbor.

Though most of our extended family lived away from Toronto, the Bell family settled in Willowdale. Our two families were intertwined in so many wonderful ways and remain very close. Hendon Avenue to Kingsdale Avenue was a well travelled route.

Helen would want me to mention the coffee girls who met weekly at Bayview Village to solve the problems of the day: Gerry, Molly, Judy, Cathy, Marie, Mavis, and sometimes Father Paul Cusack, the honorary coffee girl.

Our family has known great losses with many dying far too young. Mom's darling husband, Vincent, died in 1994 at the age of 75. Her treasured son, Tony, died in 2002 at 43 years of age, and her beloved first-born daughter, Donna, died in 2011 at the age of 58. Helen carried on, shouldered the grief, and never wavered in her love.

Helen was an inspiration to all who knew her. Her love, beauty, style and a feisty attitude characterized her life. Rest in peace, Mom, you loved well and were well-loved.