Helen Cale (Papple) Nesbit

After nearly 98 years of love, laughter, and gratitude, Helen died in West Vancouver, BC. She is predeceased by Leslie Papple (Father), Ruth Black (Mother), brothers Floyd, Bob, Jim, sister Ollie Watts, niece Linda Papple, nephew Michael Papple, and her much-loved husband Donald Richard Nesbit. She leaves her children John (Kazuko) and Susan (Paul), her grandchildren Maya, Erina, Liam, and Kristin, and 14 nieces and nephews, each of whom she cherished.

Helen was born and raised on her family’s farm in Harrisburg, Ontario. She graduated from the Brantford General Hospital Nursing school, and then trained and worked as an operating room nurse in London Ontario. In 1950 Helen ventured to Vancouver, where she worked as a public health nurse. She also joined the naval reserve at HMCS Discovery. Helen shared an apartment with Dixie Welsh and Betty Tisdale where many adventures were had. At HMCS Discovery, she met Don Nesbit who became the great love of her life. The feeling was mutual, and they married in 1953.

Helen and Don built a house in West Vancouver where they raised two children and resided for over 60 years. She and Don sailed locally and in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. They were serious gardeners and created an outstanding rhododendron garden. Her dear friend Dixie lived down the street. Both she and Dix were active homemakers, tailoring clothes and making jewelry, upholstering furniture, gardening and more.

In 1972, Helen returned to nursing, first working in Lions Gate Hospital’s premature nursery and then in the Provincial Venereal Disease clinic, where she supported women’s health in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside for ten years. In addition to her nursing, Helen's volunteer work included Sunday school teaching, fundraising for her church, nurse for West Vancouver Youth Band summer camps, fundraising for the West Van Band, giving tours at Van Dusen gardens, baking thousands of cookies for the St James church after-school music academy, co-founding North Shore Keep Well, and more.

Nothing gave Helen and Don more joy than hosting various celebrations for family, friends, and neighbours. She told a good story and never failed to see humour in the small things in life. In later years, she developed the habit of composing limericks as gifts. Above all, she never took herself, nor others, too seriously.

In 2003, Don was diagnosed with Alzheimer's so Helen went into action as his primary caregiver. In 2013, Don moved to the West Van Care Centre where Helen visited him 4 or 5 days every week, until he died in 2016. Helen moved into Hollyburn House in 2015. At Hollyburn, she felt at home and genuinely thankful for her situation. Her family is forever grateful for the superb and loving care given to her by Hollyburn staff, care aides and nurses. The family is also deeply grateful to Dr. Kathy Rahnavardi for her excellent medical support and outstanding oversight.

A celebration of life will be held on the afternoon of March 28th. If attending, please contact nesbitatsfudotca. If desired, and in lieu of flowers, please give to The Foundry (https://foundrybc.ca/donate/) or a charity of your choice.