HELEN HONAN

HELEN KYLLIKKI HONAN (Hankila) November 16, 1936 ~ October 17, 2025
It is with great sadness that Helen's daughters announce her sudden passing on October 17, 2025 at TBRHSC surrounded by her loving family.

Helen was born in South Porcupine, Ontario to Kyllikki and Emil Hankila. She was an only child and spent her childhood with her parents enjoying many activities including visiting friends, berry picking and participated in the Finnish community group.

Helen graduated from Teacher's College in North Bay in 1954 and started teaching when she was 18 years old in Marathon where she met her future husband, Brian. They were married on October 4, 1958 at Holy Saviour Catholic Church in Marathon. Helen and Brian became proud parents on July 22, 1959 with the birth of their daughter Brenda. Helen gave birth to their second daughter Karen on March 3, 1961.

Helen continued teaching in Marathon until her retirement in June 1994. Throughout her lifetime Helen spent her summers taking courses in Timmins and spending time with her mother and father and children. Many memories were made during these summers. Helen and Brian were involved in activities involving themselves and their children. These included curling, hockey and hunting to name a few. Helen enjoyed a good crossword puzzle, playing dice and cards with family and friends and going for lunches with the retired teachers with whom she shared many memories. Helen and Brian were founding/lifetime members of the North Shore Boat Club and Helen was a lifetime member of the Marathon Seniors Citizen Club. After Helen's fall which changed her life, she spent her time with her daughter Brenda who assisted her with all her needs. Mom was also close to many of the support workers who provided her care while living with her daughter Brenda. Mom enjoyed her daily calls from Karen who would check in to see how both her and Brenda were doing.

Helen and Brian began travelling once their children were grown and had the opportunity to visit many beautiful places. They eventually bought a place in Meza Arizona where they would spend their winters and where they made many special friends.

Mom was predeceased by her husband Brian in 2015, her mother Kyllikki and father Emil, her in-laws Helen and Frank Honan, sisters-in-law Carol Anderson and Irene Honan.

Helen is survived by her daughters Brenda and Karen (Roderick (Tony)) and her grandchildren Aaron, Evan (Terri), Rod and Melyssa. Her great grandchildren Haedun (Brooklyn), Jamie, Lauryn, Bryan and Gianna. Helen is also survived by her brothers-in-law Greg Honan and John (Maureen) Honan and numerous nieces and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Helen at the Senior Citizens in Marathon, Ontario on November 8, 2025 drop in between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm and share a story or a laugh.

Losing a mother is a pain that cannot be described in words. It is virtually impossible to move from the memory of losing the woman who sacrificed happiness in her own life so that you could have a better one. A mother's love is truly irreplaceable.