HELEN FRANCIS RAMSAY

(née Koziarski)

February 10, 1924 - December 28, 2020

It is with gratitude for a peaceful death and sadness for our loss, that we announce that our beloved friend, mother, grandmother, great grandmother quietly passed away, on December 28th at St. Joseph’s Residence in Winnipeg.

 

Helen Francis Ramsay was born in Winnipeg, married in 1946 to Dave Sangster Ramsay, and gave birth to a son, David Grant, in 1948.  She was blessed with 3 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. For the past 7 years, Helen resided in St. Joseph’s Residence.

 

Helen is predeceased by her devoted husband of 68 years, and her 6 siblings. As a child, Helen was a cherished companion to her grandmother, always helping her dress and taking her for walks and in later years, caring for her own mother. The Ramsay family is just one small fraction of the countless lives she touched. She was deeply moved by people’s suffering. This is Helen’s greatest legacy, her devotion and care for others. This was exemplified by her 31 years of volunteer work at St. Joseph’s Residence, assisting with the prayer services, helping to feed those unable to feed themselves and sitting with those who were dying.

 

Helen was the first of her siblings to go to business college, after which she worked as a bookkeeper for Massey Harris for several years. She was astute with purchases and investments. Helen loved Irish music, ballroom dancing, skating and walking for miles. It gave her and Dave such joy. She enjoyed all kinds of card games with her grandchildren, especially rummoli; she and Dave would play crib every day and if he was unavailable, she played solitaire. She created clothes and amazing Halloween costumes for her family; knitted beautiful Aran sweaters and crocheted blankets for each family member. Helen loved to garden, always sharing her produce with others. When she was younger, she loved to ride her bike in the park with her son, but most of all, she loved camping. She could live in a tent and enjoy campfires all summer long. She took solace in the strength and beauty of trees, always wanting to plant one more in her backyard, much to dad’s chagrin when he had to cut them down when they were overgrown. Day long family picnics took place every Sunday at West Kildonan Park and in later years, drives in the country. Helen took great pleasure in inviting friends into her home and serving them all kinds of homemade delights. She was the Perogie Queen. She taught her daughter-in- law and her two granddaughters how to make perogies, ensuring that the dough was thin and delicate. She was definitely a sociable woman, who would chat with anyone on the street or on the bus. She was genuinely interested in people and cared about them and everyone felt that.

 

Helen will be remembered for her warmth, radiant smile, infectious laugh and never-ending love. We picture her now, sitting in the sun, gazing at the water and feeling God’s love.

 

Helen’s family kindly requests that all of her friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour her memory by watching the photo-biography above. They also encourage the sharing of photos, memories, and stories by making use of the comment section on this page.

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ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St, Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

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