Sadly we announce the death of Helen Elaine Smith at the advanced age of 101 in the Halifax Infirmary on July 26, 2021. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family predeceased by her parents, James and Annie (Yeadon) Smith and by her siblings Dorothy (Bernard) Connolly, Marion (Walter) Boiduk, Lloyd Smith and Beryl (Alan) Larder.
Born on June 26, 1920 at the family home on Herring Cove Rd. near Bedley’s (now Needs Convenience Store), Helen lived almost her whole life either in Armdale or the city of Halifax. She delighted in the community life of Armdale/Spryfield ,she knew all the neighbours, and could tell countless stories of the community extending as far as Sambro and Herring Cove and reaching in time back before 1900. Helen’s father,James Smith, served in World War I, and later after he returned to Canada, as an employee of Imperial Oil he was sent to work in Peru with the intent that his wife and young family would join him there. Just as the family was about to depart for Peru they received word that James Smith had died suddenly leaving his widow Annie to bring up five young children by herself and with the support of family. This was long before the days of government assistance, so Helen grew up knowing the trials of Depression living. She never forgot the thrifty ways learned from those years. For example she knew that a used tea bag makes a good pot cleaner! Still she, her sisters, cousins and friends could dress up to the nines in their best clothes (which they had probably altered ) for a special occasion during and after World War I. After a short stint living in Calgary, Helen returned home to work first at Nova Scotia Power and later at the Halifax Herald with special responsibility for the paper’s Rainbow Haven Fund. Until almost the day of her death Helen read the Herald from page one to the end, delighting particularly in the daily crossword puzzles.
Helen’s interests were many and diverse. She was a devoted aunt to her nieces and nephews as they grew, taking them on numerous outings, paying for things like skating and music lessons and always interested in them and their families in later life. She was a lifelong student of nature, an early member of the NS Field Naturalist Society and a founding member of the Youth Hostel in the Wentworth area. She recognized almost every wild plant or flower in the province and could describe them to anyone who accompanied her on one of her country walks. She took great pride in her gardens in Armdale and later in Halifax, constantly raising new plants from from her own seeds and slips, and making jams from berries in her garden or from her foraging throughout the province. She knew about recycling and composting long before anyone had heard the terms, and woe betide anyone who attempted to throw away an eggshell which could help reduce the soil’s acidity. Swimming and canoeing were early and longtime passions.
Helen held deep Christian beliefs and values which permeated her whole life. This meant things like an unwillingness to speak unkindly of another person and a determination to give to charity every year at least 10 per cent of her income. She was a lifetime, active member of St. James Anglican Church, Armdale having many friends there, regularly attending Sunday and Wednesday services, teaching in the Sunday School, devoted to Bible Study and especially enjoying singing in the church choir for around 40 years.
Her family and friends will remember Helen’s proud ,independent and feisty spirit which carried her along throughout her long life. She knew all sorts of local family histories and was our “go to person” when younger Yeadon relatives went searching for our roots and background in this province. Helen was not easily persuaded away from a decision she had made for herself. In spite of some serious health issues she remained in her own house until almost the end, even cooking for herself. We would especially like to pay tribute to the staff and care workers of Home Instead Care for Seniors without whose assistance Helen could not have maintained her independent living in the last few years of her life. We want to thank the team of Paramedics who treated her so well and so kindly on that last trip to the hospital. The medical staff at the QE II Infirmary, particularly on 6.2, were outstanding in her care.
Helen is survived by numerous nieces and nephews including Richard (Audrey) Connolly, Quispamsis NB, Carolyn (John) MacDonald, New Glasgow NS, Lori (Jerry) Betik, Astorville On., Susan Boiduk, Amherst NS, Paul (Colleen) Boiduk , Dartmouth NS, Jim (Jan) Boiduk, Amherst NS, Steven (Julie) Boiduk, Halifax NS, David (Robin) Larder Truro ,NS, Doug (Sue) Larder, Calgary Ab., Tom Larder Italy, as well as many grandnieces and nephews and now their children. She is also survived by many cousins, particularly Geraldine Thomas and Michael Yeadon both of Halifax. She was predeceased by several nieces and nephews: Elaine Kemper, Linda McPhee (husband David surviving), Michael, Bruce and Philip Boiduk(wife Debbie surviving).
A Celebration of Life will be held at St. James Anglican Church, Armdale at a date to be announced in the early fall. Cremation has taken place and funeral arrangements are in the hands of Snow’s Funeral Home. Family flowers only, please. Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to the QE II Foundation, St. James Anglican Church, Hope for Wildlife or to a charity of one’s choice.
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