Helen Muir

It is with sadness we announce the passing of Helen Muir (Wright) at the age of 92, on Friday, January 21st, 2022 with her family at her side. Helen was born on April 12, 1929 in Port Arthur to Scottish immigrants, William and Helen Wright. She was very proud of her heritage and her parents. Helen lived most of her life in the Thunder Bay area and she appreciated the opportunities Thunder Bay offered.

While working at the Chronicle Journal, Helen met the love of her life, Jack Muir. They married and together they happily raised three children. She was extremely proud of her family home on Blanchard Street and was always planning new projects, much to Jack's chagrin. She decorated her house for every holiday, and it was well known in the area as the “Hallowe'en House.” Helen would even dress up as a witch, to greet the neighbourhood trick or treaters. Every Hallowe'en and Christmas, her children and grandchildren participated in decorating the house inside and out, culminating in a family dinner for the workers.

Helen's family was her number one priority. They were the light of her life and she was a wonderful mother and grandmother. Every Sunday, Helen and Jack fed the family and anyone else who she happened to invite. Despite their occasional conflict over kitchen duties, Jack and Helen were a great cooking team that provided delicious family dinners. The time together was filled with conversation, teasing and lots of laughter.

One of Helen's greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren. She attended many school field trips, plays and sporting events and loved having the grandchildren for sleepovers when they were young. She was always happy to cheer on her grandsons' games. Whether it was hockey or baseball, she rarely missed a game.

Helen loved the winter and downhill skiing. Bravely starting to ski at age 50, she continued this pursuit until she was 80. She enjoyed skiing with her sons, grandchildren and the many friends she had at Mount Baldy. Helen even made a ski trip to Whistler when in her 70's.

Helen loved tenting and camping. However, it was Cobblestone Resort at Raleigh Lake that was her summer retreat for close to 50 years, until the age of 90. Raleigh Lake introduced her to many life long friends from near and far. Helen was a renowned “rod hog” as she never missed an opportunity to fish but she was also known for her uncanny ability to snag her line in deep water. She even caught her first Nipigon River brook trout at age 80. Helen enjoyed travelling, with Jack. Destinations of choice were Montreal, Ottawa, Whistler, Toronto, Bahamas, Bonaire, Barbados and multiple trips to England and Scotland.

Helen's life-long focus was the giving of her time freely to her community. She was a founding member of what is now known as Community Living Thunder Bay. (CLTB). For over 50 years Helen was a determined advocate and spokesperson for those individuals with intellectual disabilities. She advocated for the rights of people unable to do it for themselves. Due to her stubborn, strong minded determination, she was a force to be reckoned with. She spent countless hours on the telephone, drafting letters and attending meetings. For many years, she travelled each month to Toronto for meetings with fellow advocates, provincial ministers and their staff at Queen's Park, seeking support for her cause. Helen was one of the instrumental driving forces behind the inclusion of developmentally challenged children in the classrooms in Ontario. While actively involved, Helen held numerous positions locally and provincially, including several terms as Provincial President of the Ontario Association for Community Living. She received multiple awards for her unswerving dedication, to the task at hand. In 2004 she received the Ontario Senior Achievement Award from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. However, Helen felt her “true award” was helping as many individuals and families as she could.

Helen was predeceased by her parents William and Helen Wright, her in-laws Jim and Lydia Muir and her husband Jack in 2011. She also lost Jack and Tressa Wright, Jim and Flora Wright, Mary Wright, Keith and Sylvia Muir, Jim Muir, Terry Muir and her best friend and neighbour Muriel Stokes.

Helen leaves behind her children Alan (Jo-Ann), Cathy Campbell (Curt), and David (Alison); grandchildren Jennifer (Joe) Griffin, Sarah (Dan) Hollinger, Kyle (Kahla) Campbell, Brant and Justin; great grandchildren Greyer and Greer Griffin, Harlow and Hayden Hollinger, Kasey Moses and Charley Campbell. She is also survived by her brother Dave Wright, sister-in-law Lida Muir and numerous nieces and nephews as well as her close friend Jean Engholm.

Should family and friends desire to make a donation in Helen's memory, in lieu of flowers please consider the “Community Living Thunder Bay Foundation.”

A ‘Celebration of Life' will be held for Helen on Wednesday, February 2nd at 12:30pm in the Current River Recreation Center. Covid protocols require the Current River Recreation staff to confirm proof of Covid vaccination and masks are mandatory.

Condolences may be made through
www.nwfainc.com