Helen Marie Dixon

Helen Marie Woolley (Dixon) passed peacefully on 14 Aug 2017 in Montreal, QC. Helen was born in Neyyoor, Kerala, India on 13 Oct. 1929 to the Rev. Canon Leonard Dixon and his wife Margaret (Helmer). She studied at Havergal College (1944-1948) and Trinity College, University of Toronto (B.A. General Arts, 1952). After one year of teaching English at Hatherop Castle, Cirencester, England and hitchhiking in Europe during the vacations, Helen sailed to India in 1954 and taught at Sarah Tucker College in Tamil Nadu. Upon returning to Canada she worked with the Student Christian Movement on university campuses across the country and for the YWCA in Edmonton. While hitchhiking to Alaska she met Philip and Emily Tompkins. The Tompkins introduced her to a friend who was a single father, James Edward Dendy (J.E.D.) Woolley. J.E.D. flew his plane to Edmonton to court Helen, and they were married on 30 Dec 1963. They settled on a farm near Charlie Lake, B.C. where they raised their children Richard, Timothy and Philippa.

Helen was a dynamic and intelligent woman who cared deeply about social justice. As well as being a mother and piano teacher, Helen volunteered with the Fort St. John Music Teachers Assoc., the Council of Women, the Shared Church, UNICEF, the Concert Series, the Literacy Society, and the Girl Guides (India and Canada). She was a member of Trinity St. Paul’s choir and congregation in Toronto where she lived from 1999-2005. Her faith was a source of great strength to her, particularly after the tragic losses of her brother Elton, husband J.E.D., son Timothy and daughter-in-law Ruth. Music was a central focus in Helen’s life; she was a lifelong pianist and singer and she taught and prepared students for piano exams and participation in the FSJ music festival. When she moved back to Toronto in 1999, she studied piano with Lawrence Pitchko. In 2005, Helen moved to Montreal, QC to live with her daughter Philippa and family.

For the last 12 years of her life Helen experienced progressive dementia. Throughout this experience she maintained good physical health, her cheery personality, and her love of music. She had always talked about wanting to learn the violin, and at age 80 she started lessons. It was not easy for her, but she did write songs with her teacher that will be sung at her funeral. She was loved and cherished, and will be missed deeply.

Helen is survived by: her children Philippa Woolley (Nandu Vadakkath) and Richard Woolley (Valerie); grandchildren Shakuntala, Revati, and Michael Woolley (Renee); great-grandchildren Jordan, Hanna, Kate, Colton and Lance; her grandson’s widow Carrie Anne Woolley; and god-daughter Joyce McBeth. She was predeceased by her husband J.E.D., son Timothy (Ruth), her parents, brothers Elton Dixon and Alec Dixon (Nancy), sister Marjory Shepherd (Ian), grandson Brendan Woolley (Carrie), and long-time feline companion Brother the cat. Many thanks to Cynthia Da Silva of Da Silva Residence (2010-2016) and the staff of St Margaret’s for their care and support (2016-present).

Her funeral will be held at Kensington Presbyterian Church, Knox Hall, 6225 Avenue Godfrey, Montreal on Sunday 3 Sept 2017 at 4 p.m. An interment service in Fort St. John, BC will follow at a later date (TBD). Funeral visitors from outside Montreal or those who would like to be kept updated on the interment service please contact Philippa Woolley (514-963-2256, 2247 Hampton Ave., Montreal, QC H4A 2K5).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Havergal College Foundation Scholarships and Bursaries fund in Helen’s memory. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/the-havergal-college-foundation/

Arrangements entrusted to Collins Clarke MacGillvray White Funeral Homes, Montreal, QC.