Helen Wylie

It is with immense sadness that we announce that our mother Helen died the afternoon of Thursday May 8, 2025 at the age of 80.

Helen will be remembered by her children, Linda (Andrew) and Norman, and her grandchildren, Luke and Samantha. She is survived by three siblings, Gordon, Margaret and Mary, and many nieces and nephews. Our mom was predeceased by her adored mother, Helen Ross.

Our mom (nee Helen Ross) was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland, the eldest daughter in a family of eight children. Her family background was modest, and she never forgot the sacrifices her wee ma made for her family.

In 1966, our mother married our father and emigrated to Winnipeg the following year in search of a better life. Mom was a born worker who would try her hand at anything. She bluffed her way into her first job in Winnipeg at the International Inn, then worked at Rossmere Country Club after moving to East Kildonan. Helen then was a cashier at Boyle’s Budget Basket and was known for her friendliness to customers while checking groceries at lightning speed. Following her divorce in 1991, Helen began her own successful business as a house cleaner, working past normal retirement age.

Helen was a friend to anyone and everyone. She loved meeting and talking to people and seemed to know someone wherever she went. Mom had numerous Scottish friends and socialised with many of them at the Prince Edward Legion. She loved parties including as “hostess with the mostest” for Ladies Nights, her annual Boxing Day party, and meetings for the Knit Wits, a knitting group where not much knitting actually took place.

Sports were another source of enjoyment for Helen. She began playing softball in her forties in Transcona and was voted most sportsmanlike player and featured on CKY’s Sports Star of the Week. Helen later took up curling and bowling during the winter months. She finally had to give up playing sports after suffering heart failure a few years ago, but continued to watch her beloved Celtic Football Club play early Saturday mornings.

A celebration of Helen’s life will take place on Thursday, May 22 at 4:00 p.m. at the Prince Edward Legion 81, 300 Trent Ave, East Kildonan. Please bring your favourite memories and stories about our mom, Helen.