DARLENE MARLYNE AYRE

It is with heavy hearts that Darlene’s family announces she passed away peacefully on May 14, 2026, at Beacon Hill Lodge, at the age of 90.

Darlene was born on her grandparents’ farm in Kaleida, Manitoba. She was the middle child of three born to William and Laura Helps (née Moloney). She was pre-deceased by her older brother, Elgin, and is survived by her younger brother, Boyd.

Darlene was also pre-deceased by her husband Ronald (“Ron”), whom she married on June 28, 1958.

In her early years, the Helps family moved to Winnipeg and this is where Darlene lived the rest of her life. Ron and Darlene built their first and only family home on Roberta Avenue in 1962. Darlene lived on Roberta until moving into Linden Pointe Retirement Community in 2024.

Darlene is survived by her two children, Jeff and Carolyn; their spouses, Joyann and Layne (Pennell); two grandchildren, Kaeleigh and Sean; brother, Boyd (Helps); former sister-in-law, Shirley (Blake); sister-in-law, Beverly (Bestland nee Ayre); many extended family members and cherished friends.

Darlene had great secretarial skills. She was a proficient typist and could write short-hand. These skills served her well throughout the years in her employment and volunteer work. One of Darlene’s most cherished memories was taking a bus from Winnipeg to Miami, Florida, then flying to Nassau, Bahamas, where she lived and worked as a secretary at a local business.

Darlene was known for her love of animals, music and sports.

Animals:

Anyone who knew Darlene knew of her passion for dogs. Darlene’s love of dogs lives on in her children and grandchildren, all of whom are passionate dog owners.

The first family dog was Lassie. Lassie became the beginning of a lifetime of involvement in dogs.

Darlene purchased her first purebred dog, a German Shepherd, in 1962. After losing two German Shepherds to disease, Darlene decided to change breeds. She purchased her first Cairn Terrier in 1971. This dog, Marvin, ignited her love of the breed, a love that remained until the day she passed.

Darlene joined the Canadian Kennel Club in 1971, registering her kennel name, Kinncayre, that same year. In 2021, she was honoured as a 50-year member of the Canadian Kennel Club.

Darlene also joined the German Shepherd Dog Club of Manitoba, Cairn Terrier Club of Canada, and the Red River Terrier Association. She dedicated much time and energy to these Clubs, working behind-the-scenes and on the front-lines of shows, trials, matches and tests. Her years of dedication to all three Clubs resulted in her being made an honorary life member of each one.

Darlene travelled throughout Canada and parts of the U.S.A. attending dog shows.

In addition to her Club involvement and showing, Darlene bred her Cairns. She bred 19 litters and produced 13 CKC Champions. Her proudest achievement as a breeder was when two of her puppies were named as the #1 Cairn Terrier in Canada in 1983 and 1994.

Like many young girls, Darlene also loved horses. The family made countless trips to the Carmen Fair to watch the annual harness races. She also enjoyed watching equestrian and thorough bred races.

The home on Roberta proved to be the perfect location for Darlene to watch the variety of birds that visited daily. There were typical birds like robins, nut hatches and sparrows, but there were also atypical birds like orioles, cardinals, hawks, eagles and even an owl that would show up at her feeders. The book, “The Birds of America” by John Audubon was always close to refer to if a strange bird appeared.

Music:

Music and singing also played a large part in Darlene’s life. She was an avid music lover and singer.

She was a member of the choirs at Immanuel United Church and then Grace Lutheran Church for all of her adult life.

As if that wasn’t enough, Darlene joined Sweet Adelines International, an organization of women who love to sing. As a Sweet Adeline, Darlene got to sing and perform throughout Winnipeg and the Continent, often travelling to the U.S.A. for friendly competitions. One of her most memorable Sweet Adelines trips was to Hawaii.

After leaving Sweet Adelines, she joined a Seniors’ Choir and the Gospel Group, Joyful Sound, both of which held concerts throughout the city.

The Rose by Bette Midler holds special memories for the family, especially Darlene’s Granddaughter Kaeleigh. Darlene often played it on the organ and sang it with Kaeleigh.

Sport:

Darlene was a sport fanatic and an original “Hockey Mom”.

Darlene enjoyed ice sports. When she was younger, she was a figure-skater and she made sure her children also knew how to skate. Darlene loved that her son and grandson shared her love of hockey. Her son, Jeff, has fond memories of his mom being the first “Hockey Mom” as she drove him and some of his teammates to and from the rink for games; and then stayed and watched.

If the television was on, chances are Darlene was watching sports. She watched hockey, CFL football, tennis, equestrian, figure skating, baseball and curling. You name it, Darlene watched it! Some of Darlene’s favourite “non sport” shows were Murder She Wrote, Hudson and Rex, CSI and Judge Judy.

Another sport Darlene loved was gambling! The family has fond memories of playing Kinsmen TV Bingo together on Saturday nights; and being treated to dinner at the Club Regent Casino Restaurant.

On top of all this, Darlene still found time to volunteer at Melrose Community Club, serving as Secretary and running the Canteen; Immanuel United Church working in the office; Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba; Middle Church Home; and lastly, Good Neighbours Active Senior Centre Bookstore.

Darlene remained active despite a devastating diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in her early 30s. The arthritis damaged her hands and feet, and often caused excruciating pain. As treatments were not as advanced then as they are now, Darlene tried many, including experimental drugs that might be considered “snake oil” by today’s standards.

Darlene had many friends, lots of whom pre-deceased her. To those that are living, the family thanks each and every one for their friendship.

The family wants to acknowledge one very special friend, Cornelia Dombrowski. A heart-felt thank you goes to Cornelia for her unwavering love and kindness; and everything she did for Darlene over the years. Although Darlene may not have said it, she loved Cornelia and considered her a “daughter-from-another-father”.

A special thank you also goes to two of Darlene’s loyal terrier-loving friends, Eileen Olensky and Pearl Humenny, for their decades of friendship and visits over the years. The photo of Darlene in her Obituary was from a picture taken by Eileen during one of her many visits. Thanks to Pearl for always bringing one of her dogs along for the visits!

The family wants to extend thanks to the staff at Beacon Hill Lodge, Grace Hospital, Victoria Hospital, and Linden Pointe for Darlene’s care over the last several months. Thanks also goes to Nicole, from Nurse Next Door, for everything she did for Darlene during her last months on Roberta Avenue. Nicole went above-and-beyond for Darlene, bringing Darlene some of her favourite junk food – McDonald’s french fries and milkshakes!

Charitable donations can be made in memory to Darlene to the Good Neighbours Active Senior Centre, Stroke Recovery Association of Manitoba, Winnipeg Humane Society, or another charity of your choice.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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