Emily Helena Alice Ellis

Emily (Helen) Ellis died peacefully at the age of 95 on February 4, 2018 at Delta View Life Enrichment Centre.

Helen was born in London, England in 1922 with the name Emily, but as an adult preferred the name Helen, only reverting to Emily recently. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She had five children, Susan (Orest), Stephen (Madeleine), Richard (Gaye), Billy and Jane and three grandchildren, Nicole, Melissa and Jordyn. Helen was predeceased by her beloved late husband William (Bill) and youngest son William (Billy). She will be missed also by her sisters Barbara and Irene and by her brother Harry, as well as her many nieces and nephews. Helen (or ‘Nen’, as she was known to her siblings) lost two other sisters, Jessie and Peggy, in recent years.

Helen served as an officer in the Women's Royal Navy during World War II, and it was at that time she met her future husband William (Bill), a Royal Navy officer, in South Africa. After the war, they married and moved to Namibia. This was the first of many moves: Gaspe, Quebec; Toronto and Elliott Lake, Ontario; Esterhazy and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; Cranleigh in Surrey, England; and Calgary, Alberta where she lived for more than 20 years. After the death of her husband, Helen moved to White Rock, BC in 2002.

Helen was a kind and gentle mother and a cheerful woman. We will remember the constant smile on her face. She was a voracious reader even when looking after her five children. There was always a stack of library books next to her armchair. She read the Globe and Mail everyday. She also loved CBC radio and it was constantly on in all the rooms of the house much to the chagrin of her husband who enjoyed simple peace and quiet. Even though she was active in her church, quilting groups, bridge and book clubs, Helen always found time to volunteer. She touched the lives of many people with her grace and thoughtfulness.

The family would like to thank all the extraordinary staff at Delta View Life Enrichment Centre who cared for Helen (Emily) over the last two years. Many became her friends.

It was our mother’s wish not to have a funeral. There will be a celebration of life at Delta View Life Enrichment Centre at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to the Stephen Lewis Foundation or to Delta View Life Enrichment Centre.