Obituary of Helen Elizabeth O'Connor

Helen Elizabeth (Creed) O’CONNOR

1935-2024

Helen O’Connor, aged 89, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children Saturday, October 26, 2024. Helen was born on July 19, 1935 in Sturgeon PEI. She was predeceased by her husband, Eugene; parents, Thomas and Mary Marcellena; brothers, Walter, Willie, George, Jim, and Johnny; sisters, Francis, Carrie, Mary Louise, and Helen Mae. She is survived by her children, Colleen (Stephen), Suzanne (Mark), and Shawn (Angie); six grandchildren; sister-in-law Cecelia; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Helen loved and excelled in school as a young girl. Her rural community school only went to grade 10, but she had bigger dreams and wanted to finish her grade twelve. With help from her brother, George, she moved to the big city of Charlottetown to complete high school. Helen was awarded top provincial marks for math and Latin in her final high-school years. Following high school, she returned to her home community and taught in a one-room school house for 2 years. Mom loved teaching—but her true passion was to be a nurse—so she entered the Charlottetown Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1958 as a RN. After a short time working in Hamilton Ontario, she returned to PEI to marry Eugene. Helen met Eugene in 1954 at a dance in Montague, PEI. They married in August 1959 and soon after set up home in Fredericton where they had their three children. Helen continued to work private-duty nights so she could be home with the children in those early years. She also worked at the Victoria Public Hospital and Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital where she retired from nursing after 38 years. Helen and Eugene created a home in Fredericton filled with love and laughter and always felt it was important to be connected to family and friends. Helen so valued the strong connections with her siblings, nieces, and nephews, and many trips were made back to her beloved island.

Helen loved, loved, loved being a Grammy to Ryan, Nicoletta, Isaac, Sophia, Graham and Ellen. Her eyes sparkled every time they entered a room to see her. She was so proud of each of them and always let them know. It was her gift to shine a light on each of them so they knew they were loved, noticed and special. In particular, her time in the kitchen with their home-made aprons and hair kerchiefs, with arms elbow deep in flour or batter, was her happy place. Lots of giggles, taste testing, and memories were made.

If you knew Helen, you knew she loved her Toronto Maple Leafs. She was teased often about this but held firm. She also loved spending time with her large circle of dear friends, decorating the house for    every occasion, gardening, and spending summers at her cottage in Sturgeon, PEI.

The family would like to extend a very large heartfelt thank-you to all the staff at Pine Grove Nursing Home. You cared for mom like she was a member of your own family. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

There will be visitation for Helen at McAdams Funeral Home Friday, Nov 1^st, 2024 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Dunstan’s Catholic Church in Fredericton on Saturday, Nov 2^nd, 2024, at 11 AM with Rev. John Jennings officiating. Interment will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery at a later date. Helen loved the color purple and butterflies so feel free to wear a touch to celebrate her. She would love it! In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Student Hunger program through Fredericton Community Kitchen or to St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery in Sturgeon, PEI.