Helen Mae Lawrence

LAWRENCE, Helen Mae - We are both sad and thankful as we announce the passing of Helen Mae Lawrence (nee McLeod) on Sunday, November 24, 2024, at the age of 85, at home with family around her. Sadness, grief, and anger surface when we think of the way cancer entered her body, destroyed who she was, and took away her desire to live. On the other hand, we are thankful that she can now know better the God she lived for during her lifetime.

We treasure the memories of the attentive care Helen devoted to the five men in her life: husband Marshall and their sons Howard (Lisa), Kevin (Laila), Eric (Hannah-Lee), and Glenn (Susan). That devotion continued on to her grandchildren in her delicious baking and in her creating a unique quilt for each one: Letitia (Rodney), Kelsey (Ben), Michelle, Natasja (Suneel), Aidan, Annika, Helen, Ethan, Dorothy, and Reuben. Her care continued to her four great-grandchildren.

The family she was born into on May 8, 1939, her late parents John and Elsie McLeod, siblings Margaret (late), Donelda (late), Jack (late), Ron (late), Glenn, Edith, and Howard, had a significant influence on who she became, as did the people in her home community of Leeburn. After graduating from high school, Helen went on to become a Registered Nurse. From there she studied at Toronto Bible College (now Tyndale University), nursing to pay her way. After marrying in August of 1964 and while starting a family, she studied linguistics at the University of North Dakota and prepared to live in the country of Papua New Guinea. Living in an isolated community in the mountains, she learned the local Oksap language and helped translate the New Testament into that language while caring for family and emergency health needs of the people around her.

We appreciate the compassionate medical care and support she received in the months and days leading up to her passing.

Friends and family are invited to gather at Arthur Funeral Home - Barton & Kiteley Chapel (492 Wellington Street East, 705-759-2522) on Thursday, November 28, 2024 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Funeral service will take place in the Chapel on Friday, November 29, 2024 at 1:00 pm, with longtime family friend Paul Hooper officiating. Graveside interment on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 10:00 am at Aberdeen Cemetery in Leeburn. Pastor John Faulkner officiating. Friends are invited to view the service online starting at 12:50 pm and can be viewed anytime up to 90 days, go to www.funeraweb.tv and select Helen Lawrence' name. Memorial contributions made payable online or by cheque to Wycliffe Canada or Galilean Bible Camp in Blind River, Ontario. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.arthurfuneralhome.com for the Lawrence family.