Helen Julia BROWN

1922 - 2023

BROWN, Helen Julia (Berezynski)
March 14, 1922 - January 14, 2023

Helen was born March 14th, 1922 in Fort William, Ontario (now called Thunder Bay). Her family moved to Sturgeon Creek Winnipeg where she met her husband, Don Brown. They eloped in 1939 and were together just shy of 70 years when Don passed. During the war years Helen worked as an inspector for equipment being shipped overseas. In the 70's she was a Nurses Aid working at the Sherwood Park Nursing Home. Helen's last job was Manager of Public Relations for Pacific Forensic Science and Consultants Limited which was her husband's document examining company.

Helen was an active member of the Ladies RCMP Auxiliary, Historical Society, College for The Retired, Lawn Bowling Club and Jubilee United Church. Helen and Don were the first couple to be awarded Burnaby Citizens of The Year in 1992 receiving the Kushiro Cup as well as the Mayors Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Community. Helen had six children and she always said that at least after all the pain of childbirth she received a gift!

Helen had a number of talents including water colour painting, designing her own Halloween costumes, creating pastry masterpieces and she spoke fluent Ukrainian. She is predeceased by her husband Donald Neil Brown, daughters Donna (Holgerson) and Susan (Kovach). She leaves us with many wonderful memories; Don (Frances), Gina, Patricia (Terry), Christopher (Daphne), 7 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Mom amazed the staff and residents at St. Michael's who could not believe that she was almost 101 years old!

She wanted everyone to know that she had a wonderful life, full of love from her husband Don, and good times spent with us all.

Her own mother always told her that tears were a waste of time and she wanted her friends to know that she appreciated their kindness and asked that they shed no tears and hold on to the memories of the time they had with her.

We welcome all of her friends and family to join us for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 18th at 11:30 at the Jubilee United Church 7591 Gray Avenue,
(at Rumble Street) in Burnaby with a reception to follow at the Hall next door. In lieu of flowers, Helen requested donations be made to the St. Michael's Centre, Therapies Team, 7451 Sussex Avenue, Burnaby, BC, V5J 5C2, or a Charity of Your Choice.