Helen Catherine Young

Helen Catherine (Proudfoot) Young passed away peacefully on January 2, 2024 at Cummer Lodge, Toronto at the age of 98. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Ronald Young. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in Nova Scotia (Lynn, Brock, Sheri, Marnie, Anne, Mary, Jim, Kendall, Frank, Judy, and David) and Brian in Ottawa.

She was predeceased by her parents Gordon and Margaret Proudfoot, older brothers John (Aileen), Jim (Jean), and Fred (Phyllis), a niece Heather, and nephew Gordon.

Helen grew up on the family farm in Pictou County, Nova Scotia, went on to graduate with a BA degree from Acadia University (1947), and immediately moved to Toronto. She thrived in the city where she made many friends, and was especially dedicated to and actively involved at Willowdale Presbyterian Church. She and Ron enjoyed travelling, and taking advantage of the music and theatre opportunities in the city. She never forgot her roots and travelled to Nova Scotia every summer to visit her family there.

Most of her working life was spent at the National Office of The Presbyterian Church of Canada from where she retired. She held a variety of secretarial, editorial, and management roles during her career.

The funeral service will take place at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home, 8088 Yonge Street, on Thursday, January 9, at 10:30 am. A short visitation will take place at 10 - 10:30 am. Reception will follow at the funeral home, followed by interment at Glendale Memorial Gardens, 1810 Albion Road, Etobicoke.

Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Willowdale Presbyterian Church, 38 Ellerslie Avenue, North York, ON M2N 1X8; or a charity of your choice.