Helen Mary MacLennan

Helen MacLennan peacefully passed away on November 3, 2021 in her 99th year while under the loving care of the staff at Parkstone - Evan Hall residence in Halifax.

Helen Mary Graves was born in Nova Scotia on December 31, 1922 as the only daughter of the late Louis and Ellen Graves. She was the last surviving member of her family. She is predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Donald MacKay MacLennan and her daughter Susan. She is survived by her sons Ian (Mary Jo), Neil (Judy), Don (Nicole), daughters Janet (Ted Wholey), Nancy (Gary Bliss), Carol Ann (Robert Drouin), grandchildren Derek, Gregory, David, Kevin, Brian, Sheileagh, Robert, Stuart, Kyla, Erin, and Clive and great grandchildren Zoe, Emma, Madison, Owen, Olivia, Violet, Kate and Alex.

Helen was a loving wife, mother and grandmother – the heart of her family. Helen was a person of strong faith and devotion to the Catholic church. She was known for her unselfish service to her community in many ways and across many years through her association with charitable organizations and her church. She was a longtime and active member of the Catholic Women’s League of St. Benedict Church.

Helen lived in Halifax for most of her life. As part of her husband Donald’s service in the Canadian Navy, they were stationed in Newport, Rhode Island and Norfolk, Virginia in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1967, they relocated to Nashua, New Hampshire for 16 years and the remainder of Donald’s career. Helen and Don returned to Halifax in 1983 where she spent the remainder of her life. Helen maintained lifelong friendships from the many places she lived and her membership in the Naval service community.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 8, 2021 at 12:15 p.m. at St. Benedicts Church, 45 Radcliff Drive, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The family welcomes you to join them at Mass. To attend this Mass one must provide proof of full vaccination and wear a mask.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to donate in her honor are requested to donate to the Alzheimer’s Society of Nova Scotia or the MS Society of Canada - Atlantic Division.