Helen ANDERSON

1925 - 2021

HELEN (BRACKEN) ANDERSON September 30, 1925 - January 8, 2021 Helen Eileen (Bracken) Anderson passed away peacefully on Friday, January 8, 2021 in Ottawa. Born in Athens, ON on September 30, 1925 to Dr. Clifford and Florence (Willson) Bracken, Helen was the third of six children. When she was 12, the family moved to Brockville. Helen is predeceased by brothers Clifford and Lawrence and sister Ruth. She is survived by her sister Connie and her brother Bruce as well as numerous nieces and nephews in the Bracken and Anderson clans. She is predeceased by her husband, Tim (A.T.E.). Helen met Tim, a former WWII Naval Officer, while studying in her last year at Queen's University. After earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1946, Helen went on to study social work at the University of Toronto. She and Tim married in May 1949. Helen considered her children to be her greatest achievement. She is survived by Scott (Heather), Sharron (David Barker) and Ian (Margaret Hancock). She was a generous, loving Gran to her grandchildren Sean (Sacha), Alison (Ian), Adam (Lily), Gillian (Lee), Rachael and Rebecca (Curt). She was an adoring GG to her great-grandchildren: Claire, Aubrey, Jack, Cameron, Declan and Graham. In a long life full of achievements, Helen was deeply engaged with her alma mater, Queen's University. Her parents, her siblings, her husband, her children, and many of her grandchildren went to Queen's. Helen served on the Queen's University Board of Trustees. Her passion to see women succeed in learning and life led her to be a founding member of the Ban Righ Centre at Queen's. In 2008, Helen established the Helen Bracken Anderson Bursary to be awarded by the Ban Righ Centre to female students returning after a period outside formal education for work or family. For her outstanding contributions to the Ottawa Alumni and Alumnae Branch of the Queen's University Alumni Association, Helen was awarded the Grunnan Onarach Award (Ottawa Branch). She was a lifelong learner, always curious and questioning, bringing her keen mind to involvement in groups such as the Canadian Association for the Club of Rome, the Consumers' Association of Canada and the Ottawa Branch of the Canadian Federation of University Women. Helen was also a proud patron of the arts and enjoyed many performances at Ottawa's National Arts Center and Great Canadian Theatre Company. The family wishes to thank Bonnie and all the dedicated staff at The Courtyards on Eagleson for their extraordinary care in Helen's final months. We also want to thank Lora for her devotion and support to Helen in her latter years. We will find a time post-COVID to celebrate Helen and all she meant to us. Donations in honour of Helen to the 'Helen Bracken Anderson Bursary' at the Ban Righ Centre, care of Queen's University (www.givetoqueens.ca), would be appreciated. Condolences and Sharing Memories www.kellyfh.ca. Funeral care entrusted to Kelly Funeral Home - Kanata Chapel - 580 Eagleson Road, Kanata, ON, K2M 1H4.