CLAIRE HELMAN

(1933 – 2025) It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Claire Louise Helman, peacefully and surrounded by loving family and friends on November 26th at the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal at the age of 92. Claire was a first generation Canadian and the only child born to her parents, Bessie Sadowski and David Helman, in Edmonton, Alberta, on September 7, 1933. She was educated at the University of Alberta, where she obtained an arts degree and a Masters of Social Work. Claire lived in Vancouver prior to venturing to Montreal for Expo 67 and making the city her permanent home. Claire was a lifelong writer who documented her observations of the world around her. She was keenly interested in the arts and culture, and following her time in social work, she held various jobs in media, including working at Weekend Magazine, the CBC, and the National Film Board of Canada. Moved by social issues as the world evolved, she supported social causes and wrote a definitive book on a major experimental housing project in Montreal entitled The Milton Park Project published by Vehicle Press. She contributed numerous articles to newspapers and magazines with her unique view of events and adventures in her life. Claire was married to Mark Goldman in Montreal, where they raised their daughter, Rachel, both in Montreal and on a farm in the Eastern Townships. Claire is survived by her daughter, Rachel Goldman; and son-in-law, Sam Sabloff. The family would like to thank the palliative care unit at the Jewish General Hospital as well as her caregivers Gail, Winnie and Sylvia for their support during her final days. A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2026.