Mrs. Helen Freida Brown

The world is a little dimmer with the passing of Helen Brown (nee Fedor) on May 25, 2021, just short of her 90th birthday. Helen will be sadly missed by her surviving sisters: Marilyn Keyes (John, and family) and Peggy White (David and family), and surviving sister-in-laws Loanna Fedor (Frank), Laurette Fedor (Edward) and their families. Helen will also be profoundly missed by her daughter Jane, son Bob, daughter-in-law Sheree, grandchildren Mike, Marshall (Myleth), and Jennifer, and great grandchildren Ian, Myleah, Mia, and Cooper. As well, she leaves behind so many life-long friends and extended family. Helen was predeceased by her husband, Art (2010) and eldest son, Bill (2020).

Helen was born the eldest of 8 children, all raised in South Porcupine, Ontario, by their loving parents Mary and Fred. The family remained close at heart throughout all of Helen’s life. Helen was the 3rd remaining sibling.

Helen met Art Brown, a dashing young man who was poised to build a successful career in mining. They married on August 4th 1951, in South Porcupine, Ontario. They both had many passions in life, but none were more important than their family. Helen and Art raised three loving children, Bill, Bob and Jane. Early in Helen and Art’s married life, Helen stayed at home to raise their children, taught piano, and conducted the Catholic Church Choir while Art was moving up the corporate ladder. This led to several relocations for the family to international destinations such as South America, the Philippines, and Mexico. Regardless of where Helen and Art lived, Helen gracefully pulled together dinner parties like no other. She was a wonderful, supportive wife and life-partner for Art. In 1980, they made their final move to North Vancouver where Helen and Art lived for 31 years in the same family home, which was filled to the rafters with family during special occasions.

Art’s work trips and relocations introduced them to the world of travel which they indulged in before and after Art’s retirement in 1994. Their favourite destination to stay put for a while was Puerto Vallarta. PV became their second home, spending several months a year there and making a new cluster of wonderful friends. Even after Art’s passing in 2010, Helen did not slow down. Her North Vancouver home was her home base, but Helen spent three blissful months a year in a condo overlooking Marina Vallarta until just last year. In her Royal Pacific Yacht Club condo, Helen was “The Queen”, holding court at the card table and attending constant social get-togethers and lovely dinners, often enjoying a “Nasty Helentini” (“LOTS of Olive juice please!”) During the rest of the year, Helen travelled to see family and friends in Ontario, Texas, Connecticut, California, and the Okanagan. She also went on bus tours and cruises all over the world with Art, and enjoyed cruising with Jane to Russia and twice to the Caribbean.

While Helen was back in North Vancouver, being quite the social butterfly, her calendar was always jam packed. She kept her big house even when she was on her own so she could always welcome family and friends for long or short stays. When home alone, Helen enjoyed watching t.v., most often CNN, golf, and even poker! Helen’s interest in watching poker reflected how she lived: “Call when you see an opportunity, fold when through an experience you know is a dead-end, and most importantly go all in when it’s a rock-solid win!”. There were also several traditions very close to her heart which she partook in with her family and friends, such as attending Stars on Ice, enjoying overnight stays at the River Rock Casino with Bill, Sheree and Jane, and gathering the family together for special occasions. One could not visit Helen’s house without playing Wizard, of course with beverages and snacks at the table. Even in her later years, Helen was always young at heart even though her body could not keep up.

Last year was particularly hard on Helen. In March, she shattered her elbow and then experienced great heart break when her eldest son Bill passed unexpectedly. In the fall, Helen’s own health took a turn for the worse with a diagnosis of kidney cancer and with the onset of mini-strokes.

Among many wonderful attributes, Helen will be remembered for her open display of love and kindness, unending devotion to family and friends, generosity, and her love of life and laughter. She was “bright as a lightbulb” and had a cracking sense of humour.

Thank you to all of her dear friends and family for helping to make Helen’s life one of the best one could ask for.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations in Helen’s name to The North Shore Hospice in North Vancouver, or to the BC Cancer Agency.

Though the thought is lovely, no flowers to her home, thank you.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialnorthvancouver.com for the Brown family.