HELEN TUCKER

HELEN TUCKER (Schumacher)
After 102 years, Helen Lavinia Tucker (Schumacher) (nee Keith) slipped peacefully into the arms of her Lord on March 28, 2024. Helen was predeceased by her first husband, Bob Schumacher, her son, Robert Schumacher and her siblings, Royden, Juanita, Ian, George, Jim and Olive Keith. She is survived by her second husband George, her daughters Heather (Bruce) Woodbeck and Barb Ruth (Roland) Schumacher, her grandchildren Kris (Huiqiong), Heidi (Ben), Kailee (Spencer) and Susan, her great-grandchildren, Lucas, Calvin, Emily, Samual and Cassidy, her brothers Ernest and Fred Keith, as well as nieces and nephews.

Helen was born on July 11, 1921 into a family who farmed in New Brunswick and near Cochrane, Ontario. As the eldest daughter, she took responsibility for her younger siblings, along with many farm chores. She learned the values of working hard, living frugally and saving money at an early age. Throughout her life, Helen was kind and generous to those less fortunate.

Helen worked for her room and board to attend Cochrane high school. She graduated with a nursing diploma from the Ottawa Civic Hospital, then got Public Health Certification. She worked in community nursing, first with the VON in Nova Scotia, where she delivered babies at home. When she transferred to Port Arthur, she met her first husband Bob. After their marriage, they ran a nursing home in Port Colborne. Then public health nursing became her focus. Years after she retired from the Thunder Bay District Public Health Unit, people would spontaneously share their appreciation for her baby and family care advice. Along the way, Helen earned at Master's in Education.

Helen was a very active person. Up until her late 60's she walked faster than anyone else in the family. She continued walking until the last few weeks of her life. Always busy, she was renowned for her bread and buns which flew off the table at bake sales.

After Helen and Bob's retirements, they became fearless advocates for the mentally ill. For many years, they travelled to major North American mental illness conferences to build their knowledge in order to raise awareness, decrease stigma and lobby for improved services. They established the Friends of Schizophrenics (FOS) Thunder Bay Chapter). After Bob died, George followed Helen's lead and took up the baton. Together they continued to participate on many committees, do public community displays and educational presentations across the region, and fundraise with yard and bake sales, and the annual FOS Walk of Hope. For decades, Helen supported many people and families through the schizophrenia helpline based in their home. Helen received numerous awards recognizing her volunteer service. She was in her 90's when she reluctantly agreed to end the yard sales she had hosted for over 25 years.

Selfless to the end, one of Helen's last acts was to express her gratitude for the support that she received to maintain her independence. Thanks go to: George, whose love and devotion enabled her to stay home as long as possible; Nicole and the BestCare team; Tina and PR Cook staff; Ashleigh and Hospice Northwest; Home and Community Care coordinators; Partners in Rehab; NW Palliative Care Program; and Hospice/Palliative Care team at St. Joseph's Hospital.

Friends are invited to share their stories at a Celebration of Life on Monday, April 22, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Sargent and Son Funeral Home. Donations in honour of Helen's memory can be made to the Lakehead University Bob Schumacher Memorial and Helen and George Tucker Bursary Fund.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.sargentandson.com