Obituary of Helen Jean Stewart
Helen passed away peacefully at the age of 97, surrounded by her beloved children, Heather Stewart and Graeme Stewart and her daughter in-law, Frances Stewart. She is predeceased by her brothers James Fulford (d. 2020) and Eric Fulford (d. 1999) and her husband Frank Stewart (d. 2008). She is survived by her two sisters, Merle Fulford of Guelph and Joyce Jones of Toronto, her sister-in-law, Natalie Stewart of Strongsville, Ohio, and her nieces and nephew, Karen Veenhuizen, Lynn Pauw, Alice Crossfield, Gwen Fulford, George Fulford, Cathy Sanders, and their families. Helen also leaves behind her very dear and long time friends, fellow bridge players, and former neighbours on Glenburnie Drive, Pat Franceschini and Del Anderson and one of her very first and best friends in Guelph, Barb Patterson.
Helen was born in Sweetsburg, Quebec to Mary Alice (McClure) (d.1963) and Claude Fulford (d.1974) and grew up with her two brothers and two sisters in Cowansville, Quebec where her mother's family ran a dairy farm and milk delivery business. She was a good student and she received an award from the Lieutenant Governor of Quebec for her good academic work and she always had a natural talent for art and drawing. She was a gentle and kind person with a good sense of humour and always had many friends. In 1953 she and her sister, Joyce, moved to Toronto to take a nursing assistant course at Sunnybrook Hospital. After graduation they both took jobs at St John's Convalescent Hospital on the northern outskirts of Toronto. Their sister Merle also later moved to Toronto, working as a Registered Nurse at Sunnybrook. Helen later worked for several years for the City of Toronto Department of Health until she met and married her husband, Frank Stewart, in 1963. Frank was born and raised in Toronto but had moved to London Ontario for a job with the 3M Company.
After living briefly in London Ontario, Frank and Helen moved to Guelph and in 1968 purchased a newly built home on Glenburnie Drive where they raised their family. Frank worked for the University of Guelph with Helen focusing on homemaking and volunteer work. She enjoyed many creative activities including sewing, macrame, decoupage, candle making, and needlepoint, and, later in life, became a rather prolific painter of folk art. Helen enjoyed cooking and baking, and for many years she was known for her sourdough coffee cakes and homemade bread. She loved bridge and played in several groups over the years. Helen was happy in her home and neighbourhood and remained in her Glenburnie Drive house for the rest of her life.
In the last few years Helen was stricken with dementia and the illness brought dramatic and heartbreaking changes to her life. With the help of her children and many compassionate caregivers, she was able to remain living comfortably in the peaceful familiarity of her home. Heather and Graeme express their deep gratitude to the many caregivers who touched Helen's life, especially to those who cared for her until her very last days: Michele, Linda, Christel, Simret, Laurette, Dawn, Barb, Syrel, Sewit. A heartfelt thanks also goes to Helen's next door neighbour, Karen Huber. Karen was one of Helen's earliest and most cherished caregivers. Karen always brought much fun and laughter and never failed to bring a smile to Helen's face.
After the death of her beloved dog, Bonnie, Helen welcomed a foster cat named Abigail from the New Hope Animal Rescue, an organization that was started by her wonderful veterinarian, Dr. Kate Flanigan. Abigail and Helen formed a deep bond, and this sweet and affectionate cat remained a source of comfort and enjoyment to Helen, right to her very last days.
If desired, donations to the New Hope Animal Rescue would be appreciated.
Cremation will take place and the family will hold a small private celebration of Helen's life.
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1 Delhi Street at Eramosa Road
Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1E 4J3
519-824-0031
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