Obituary of Helen Simonson

1930 - 2012

It is with sadness that the family of Rev. Helen Simonson, formerly of Edmonton, Alberta, announces her passing after a long and difficult struggle with Alzheimer's. Helen passed peacefully at the "Pines" Kimberley Special Care Home in Kimberley, B.C., on December 1, 2012.

Helen was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on March 24, 1930. She moved to Edmonton in 1950, where she married, raised her family and worked at a number of United Churches in the city and surrounding area. In 1985, she was proud to be ordained as a United Church minister. Her church work continued in Alberta until her retirement in 2005, when she moved to BC to be closer to her children.

Friends and family of Helen will remember her for her love of family, her strong faith, her quiet and gentle manner, her tolerance and compassion, her warm smile and her love of nature.

Helen leaves to cherish her memory her two children, Marilynn (David) Ryder of Bull River, B.C., and Murray Simonson of Kimberley, B.C.; four grandchildren, Kerri Ryder (Jon Pergunas) of Ingleside, Ontario, Tyrel Ryder (Jen Gleeson) of Jaffray, B.C., and Calvin and Sam Simonson, both of Edmonton; and one sister Ethel (Norman) Parham of Nanaimo, B.C., She was predeceased by her parents Matilda and Gordon Read; her husband Keith, her son Leslie and her brother Ken Read.

A Celebration Of Helen's Life Service will be held at McDougall United Church (10025 - 101st Street) in Edmonton on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 1:30 pm with Rev. Gordon Oaks officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Helen's memory can be made to a charity of the donors choice, the local SPCA or the Pines Special Care Home, 386 - 2nd Avenue, Kimberley, British Columbia, V1A 2Z8.

"Time remembered is grief forgotten."

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.

Condolences for the family can be offered at:

www.mcphersonfh.com