Helen Ridout NEILSON

NEILSON, Helen Ridout, M.B.E (military), Emeritus Professor of Food Science, McGill University, B.H.Sc., M.Sc., Dt.P.
Passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 2, 2006. Helen was predeceased by her sister Nora Ellwood and brother Dr. Walter Neilson. Helen was the dearly loved aunt of Neil Ellwood, Anne Palfreyman, John Neilson, Patrick Neilson, William Neilson, Janet Neilson and great aunt to Kim and Hew Ellwood, Kate and Beth Ellwood, Faye, Lesley and Claire Palfreyman, David, Maggie, and Laura Neilson, Anna and Ivan Neilson, Liza, Devon, and Mary Howard.
Born in Quebec City in 1914 to H.I. Neilson R. C.A. and Matilda Anne Greene, Helen received her undergraduate degree from McGill University and completed a dietetic internship at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal. She served from 1942-1946 in the Royal Canadian Air Force where she was a squadron leader in charge of food services in the Eastern Air Command and she was made Member of the British Empire (military). After the war, she returned to McGill and completed a M.Sc. in Nutrition (Animal Science). In 1948-49, she was Research Assistant to Dr. F. Tisdall in the Institute of Aviation Medicine, Department of National Defence. In 1949, she was appointed Associate Professor and Director of the School of Household Science, later the School of Food Science, at McGill University. She was promoted to full Professor in 1954 and continued as Director until 1975. During that time, she served for one year (1956-57) in the Technical Assistance Program of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations at Kasetsart University in Bangkok, Thailand. In 1977, she accepted an appointment as Principal Lecturer and Chair, Life Management Department, School of Applied Science, Riverina College of Advanced Education, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia. She returned to Canada in 1978.
Helen was a member of the McGill University Senate during the turbulent years from 1967 to 1970. In 1977, she received The Queen Elizabeth 25th Anniversary Jubilee Medal. In 1980, Helen was appointed Emeritus Professor of Food Science at McGill. A past President of The Canadian Dietetic Association (1961-62) and Chair of numerous committees, Helen received the Stuart Award in 1976 and in 1989 became the first Member Emeritus. In 1985, she received the Mastery for Service Award from Macdonald College, and in 1994, Helen received Le Prix Ross, le prix d'excellence pour la carrière.
In retirement, Helen wrote the histories of Macdonald College and the Anglican Parish of Vaudreuil. A summer resident of Tadoussac and a member of The Alpine Club of Canada, Helen loved hiking, skiing and fishing.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2006, at St George's Church, St Anne de Bellevue, Quebec at 11:00 a.m. Because Helen supported so many charitable organizations, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice.