HELEN ANNE RIDDELL

With heavy hearts we said our final goodbyes to Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma, Aunt, and friend Helen at the blessed age of 91.

Mom was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Alistair Riddell; and brother Jim Rowley. Helen leaves to cherish her memory - her children, Heather (Ken), Craig, and Jennifer (Perry); grandchildren, Stephen (Morgan), Christina (Daniel), Katie (Jordan), Emma (Randy), and Callum; 3 great-grandchildren; sister in-law Margaret Rowley; extended family and friends.

Mom was born to Frances (Armitage) & Robert Barker-Rowley and grew up on the west island of Montreal. Mom was active in Brownies, Girl Guides and attended camps, which she loved and eventually moved up to being a camp counsellor and lifeguard. She had many songs she loved to share from that time. Mom cherished being a school rep on Eaton’s Junior Council and the fun times she had. Her Dad passed away in 1953 when Helen was only 20 years old. She then followed in the footsteps of her Mom, and she entered nursing school at the Montreal General Hospital.

She had a love of adventure and travel, cycling and staying in youth hostels around Cape Cod. The highlight being her trip in 1956 when she sailed to Britain and cycled around England and Scotland with friends. She then began her nursing career moving to Kelowna where she developed lifelong friendships and a love of the Okanagan. She returned to Montreal to look after her mother and then worked as a school nurse for the regional school board where she met her future sister-in-law Margaret Rowley. With the help of her brother and the church’s young people group, she met Alistair whom she married on June 24, 1961 in Ste. Anne-de-Bellevue. Mom continued to work as a school nurse while Dad finished his Theological Studies at McGill.

Following Dad’s Ordination into the United Church in June 1962, Mom & Dad moved out west to where Dad began his ministry in Elgin, Regent, and Fairfax pastoral charge in rural Manitoba. It was here that they began their family with the birth of Heather and Craig. They later moved to Killarney in 1967, where Jennifer was born. Mom enjoyed leading CGIT and participating in the UCW group. The family then moved to Morden, it was there Mom was involved in the church choir, the UCW and Southern Manitoba Concerts. Both she and Dad had a passion for international development through groups like People to People, and Manitoba Council for International Cooperation. This led to their participation in the study tours to Nicaragua and Cuba. After a final pastoral charge in Rivers, Manitoba, Mom and Dad retired to Winnipeg in 1995. Mom stayed active in Regent’s Park / St. Mary’s Road United Church through the food bank with Harvest Manitoba, the pastoral care team and the UCW. All of these meant opportunities to connect with friends new and old, which she treasured.

Throughout our years with Mom we all came to love camping, travel, nature and food. Mom always felt so fortunate to have traveled to so many countries around the world. As a family, she instilled a curiosity of new places and sights as we camped across Canada, often travelling east to visit family. We had the privilege to travel from the west coast to the east coast and take in so much of our beautiful and vast country. Mom and Dad in their retirement revelled in trips to warm places like Barbados, Cuba and Sri Lanka; road trips to destinations in Canada with friends; and cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska. As Mom and Dad both got older they still enjoyed family camping get-togethers here in Manitoba. Camping with family in summer was an important part of vacation time. Mom enjoyed family gatherings at Elkhorn Resort and most recently at a cabin on Lake Winnipeg in August 2024. Food at family gatherings always played a central role as Mom fed us well with tasty homemade meals. Her cookies were also outstanding! Your laughter and love will be missed at our tables.

Sincere thanks to the staff of Pembina Place Personal Care Home for the care and comfort you provided to Mom in her last months.

A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at 1:30p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at St. Mary’s Road United Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to one of the following organizations linked below:

St. Mary’s Road United Church

United Church Mission & Service Fund

Pembina Place Personal Care Home Recreation/Therapy

Alzheimer’s Society Manitoba

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

1833 Portage Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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