WEATHERDON, Helen
OBITUARY OF HELEN WEATHERDON (1921-2020)
Helen Weatherdon was the last surviving member of the family of Annie Conroy and David Weatherdon. She was called Home on Sunday, March 8, 2020 in her 99th year. She is now reunited with her beloved parents, her cherished sisters Ethel Hayes, Mabel Ouellette and Irene Binette, and her dear brothers Norman, Gerald and Harvey. Helen lived life on her own terms, and she will be remembered fondly by her many nieces and nephews, friends and neighbours.
Helen was born on April 23, 1921 at the family farm in Mulgrave and Derry, Quebec. She remained in that home until August 2019 when diminished health prompted a move to assisted living, a change she accepted with grace and courage. Helen’s long and healthy life was her reward for obeying the commandment to children found in Exodus 20:12 “Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God has given you”. Helen and her eldest brother, Norman, devoted their lives to helping their parents with the hard work that farming demands. As their parents aged, Helen and Norman cared for their Father until his passing on April 23, 1965 and their Mother until her passing on June 29, 1967. The special bond between Helen and Norman continued until his death on September 2, 1990.
Helen had enormous respect for the land and the natural world around her. She was a talented artist and gardener. Her paintings grace the walls of the farmhouse, and her flower beds will continue to attract and sustain both birds and bees. Walking in the fields and gazing at the mountains that surround the Weatherdon farm never ceased to bring her contentment.
Music and writing were among Helen’s many talents. Sunday night gatherings when each family member would sing their favourite song accompanied by piano and guitar music were among her fondest memories. Helen was blessed with excellent recall and could still recite the words of songs shared in happier times. Poetry, both the reading and writing of it, gave her quiet pleasure when she felt lonely.
Helen thrived on learning and was not afraid of hard work. These two qualities came together when, in her seventies, Helen was introduced to fish farming. Until recently, this second career gave purpose to her days, extreme pride in her skill, and additional income to maintain the farm. Helen lived a solitary life following Norman’s passing but remained keenly aware of and informed about the world both near and far. She happily shared her firm views on the performance of elected officials, global warming, the genesis of epidemics, and the need to replace greed with kindness and decency to make the world better. Helen Weatherdon was a true renaissance woman.
The independence Helen enjoyed until her final months would not have been possible without the help of Barbara Hayes-Fecteau, her niece, over many years. Helen also relied on the assistance and support of Gary Teske, her neighbour and friend. Shirley Plouffe, also a niece, and her husband, Rolland, visited Helen frequently bringing with them her favourite treats. Helen’s family extends sincere thanks to la Résidence Vie Active, in Angers, where Helen received kind and safe care during her final months.
There will be visitation on Monday, March 16th from 9:30 to 10:30 at the Coopérative Funéraire de l’Outaouais at 116 Maclaren East. A funeral mass will follow at St. Malachy Church in Mayo at 11:00. Helen will be laid to rest in Our Lady of Light Catholic Cemetery, Mulgrave and Derry, in the Spring of 2020. Donations to St. Malachy Church, 3889 QC-315, Mayo, QC J8L3Z8 would be appreciated by Helen’s family
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