Helen Mary Tyers Welsh

Helen recently passed away on September 14th, 2016 at the age of 94 in Abbotsford General Hospital at 2:20 am after having a brief battle with Esophageal Cancer.

Helen was born in Redbridge, Ontario on December 10, 1921 to Percy and Matilda Tyers in a family of 10 children. She was the 6th in the birth line and right in the middle of the bunch following the birth of twins. She had 6 brothers, Livingston, Cecil, Stephen (twin), Stewart, Wilber, Charlie and three sisters Ruth, Dorcas (twin) and Christobel.

To sum up Helen’s life, its best to say: “This ordinary woman was used by God to be his voice, hands and feet.” Whether she was serving water to the Pastors, folding bulletins, greeting people at the door, putting out hymn books for Chapel, writing letters to prisoners, giving people inspirational thoughts, having her grandsons plant trees or drive her places, encouraging others to participate or just simply encouraging them, she has blessed so many people. Her goal in life was to help people. She loved to make a difference in their lives. Thus her motto of Hebrews 12:12-15

Some of the things she enjoyed most in life was playing games of scrabble, spending time with her family, reading poetry, listening to music, writing letters, being a helping hand to others and encouraging them in whatever way they needed it.

At the age of 10 years old, she committed her life to serve the Lord and was baptized in the river on the farm at age 16. She was taught scripture and prayer was an important part of life from an early age. The family had “The Family Alter” after meals where they would read the bible, sing songs around the pump organ and pray. The verse that confirmed her decision was John 6:37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me and whoever comes to me I will never cast out”. She was excellent at memorizing scripture and regularly quoted whole chapters of the Psalms at the drop of a hat. She truly exemplified Psalm 119: 11 which says : “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Thank you for being a true inspiration to your family and friends. We will miss you.

Helen is survived by daughter Mary-Lynne (Dave) Ross, of Chilliwack, step daughters Gwen (Grant) Forrest, and Shirley Robinson of Victoria, BC. grandchildren Joshua (Shemina) Ross, Stephen Ross, Christopher (Jessica) Ross, Brad (Sammi) Forrest, Ryan Forrest (Alicia Guzauskas), Jim (Doreen)Robinson, Cindy Choo (Fred Havekotte), Cathy Prokipchuk (Doug Ector), 14 great-grandchildren and 6 great great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband of 30 years Ernest M Welsh in 2003, her son-in-law Ken Robinson in 1998 and granddaughter Tiffany Forrest in 1996.

Visitation for Helen will be held from 2 – 4 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2016 at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 2310 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford. A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Monday, September 26, 2016 at Clearbrook MB Church, 2719 Clearbrook Road, Abbotsford, BC.

Donations can be made to Food for the Hungry Foundation in honour of mom - http://www.fhcanada.org/.

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Funeral Home, Abbotsford, BC.