Helen Mavis Dowell

DOWELL, Helen Mavis (nee Tingley) 1920-2018 - It is with deep sorrow that we announce the peaceful passing, at home, of Helen Dowell, our dearly loved mother, grandmother and great grandmother on Thursday July 5, 2018 at the age of 98.  Helen was born in Amherst, Nova Scotia on January 31, 1920.  She and Eugene, her beloved husband of 53 years, were married on January 1, 1943 and raised their four children in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.  They retired to Sydney, Nova Scotia and then to Chippawa, Ontario.  She will be greatly missed by her children Douglas (Suzanne Lavallee), Jacqueline and Margaret (Peggy), her grandchildren Noel, Shirley, Esperanza, Angelito, Christina and Aurora, and by 15 great grandchildren.  She is survived by her brother Ralph (Julie).   Predeceased by her husband Eugene in 1995, her eldest son Bruce in 2012, and her sisters Ruth (Mitchell) in 2010 and Shirley (Temple) in 1963.  In addition to her full-time wife, mother and homemaker activities, Helen was very active in crafts her whole life, working in pressed copper, petit-point, ceramics, pottery, sculpture, quilting and weaving.  In Sydney she established a small business, Dowell Studios, producing handmade ceramic figurines.  After moving to Chippawa in 1995, she took up the violin, an instrument she hadn’t played in 40 years and continued with it into her mid 90’s.  Thanks to Peggy, Robin Marin, Jean Agar and Janice Nash, who provided loving care at home during her gradual decline over recent years, and to all the health-care professionals who assisted with her care.  Friends are invited to call at the PATTERSON FUNERAL HOME, 6062 Main St. Niagara Falls, Saturday 3 to 5 pm.  A private family interment will take place at Fairview Cemetery.  In memory of Helen, memorial contributions may be made to Helen’s favoured charities, Doctors Without Borders Canada or UNICEF Canada.  Online condolences at www.pattersonfuneralhome.com