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Helen Mark Obituary
MARK, Helen Louise May 8, 1941 - December 26, 2009 Passed away at home after an eight month illness of multiple myeloma. Helen was born in Kimberley, BC, the fourth child of Joe and Eva Giegerich. In 1959 Helen moved to Vancouver and studied nursing at UBC and the Vancouver General Hospital and obtained her RN in 1964. In 1966 she embarked on a trip around the world on an ocean liner and met Don Mark. They were married in 1968 and had four children, twin daughters and two sons. Helen was an avid skier and outdoor enthusiast all her life, from climbing the ski hill in Kimberley on foot in her childhood, through skiing with the UBC ski team, to family ski weeks at Big White, and many snowy weekends spent at Whistler among friends. Helen's other favourite outdoor pursuit was cycling, which she enjoyed with a great group of Crescent Beach area friends. She cycled with her husband and friends in France, Belgium, Ottawa/Gatineau, the Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands, the Kootenays, the Okanagan, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. After adopting her youngest son from Vietnam in 1975, she began to gather and distribute information to assist people in the adoption of children from overseas. Her organization grew from her kitchen table into the Adoptive Families Association of BC incorporated in 1981. Her belief that every child deserved a loving home fueled her thirty year commitment to the AFA, first as a volunteer, and later as an employee. In 2004 the AFA created the "Helen Mark Excellence in Adoption" award, which is given annually to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to adoption. Helen is survived by her husband Don, her children Barb (Jim), Jan (Jeremy), Dan, Steve (Sunjit), her grandchildren Adam, Ruby, Claire, Anthony, Eloise, Noah, Kaylin and Asher, and her siblings Joe, Bob and Daryl and their families. Helen will be greatly missed by her family and friends. The family is grateful to all the friends and neighbours who supported her in many ways during her illness. Particular thanks go to Charles King, Helen's doctor and friend of forty years. A service to commemorate Helen's life will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Victory Memorial Park, 14831 - 28th Ave., Surrey, BC . In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen's memory can made to the Adoptive Families Association of BC or to the David Suzuki Foundation.
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22 Entries
Betty Anne McCoy
January 26, 2010
How comforting to read the tributes to Helen and the joy she brought to so many. I treasure our lives together from childhood in Kimberley, roommates at UBC, family ski trips to Whistler with kids, and the latter years skiing all over BC. There is deep sadness in the loss of her. My deepest sympathy to you Don and the family. Betty Anne (Backstrom) McCoy, Anacortes WA.
Sandy Moseley (Morrison)
January 11, 2010
Helen was my classmate and friend. We shared safe and happy times growing up in Kimberley.
More recently, our girl "get together" times are memories I will cherish.
She will be missed but fondly remembered.
Cecelia Reekie
January 9, 2010
I was very saddened to hear the news that Helen has passed on to continue her journey. I had the opportunity to work with Helen in the Adoption Community and I have a great deal of respect for all that she has done for families in BC. My condolences to all her family and friends.
April Davidson
January 7, 2010
Don and Family: From first meeting Helen at our apartment in Marpole just after we were all married in '68 to Crescent Beach, Helen always had that amazing friendly, warm smile. You couldn't help but like her. I am very sorry for your loss of this lovely lady. My empathy and condolences to you all.
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January 6, 2010
My memories of Helen go back to growing up in Kimberley, water skiing at Windermere Lake and then those three
memory laden years at VGH. I will treasure the many VGH reunions we had and I know at the next one we will once again laugh and no doubt shed a tear while we remember our friend and classmate. To Helen's family, I hope with each day the pain will ease and you will find comfort in your memories.
"In remembering we keep what is best and dearest as treasures forever"
Nancy Eckstein (Patterson)
January 5, 2010
We will miss Helen's enthusiasm & positive attitude toward life. Our meetings on the ski hills (Whistler/Kimberley) and the laughter -oh the laughter. Our thoughts are with all the family. Karen & Gord Arthur
January 5, 2010
Helen was such a fun loving person. We had many good memories from school days & on, skiing, basketball, Windermere Lake. She really participated in life to the fullest. So sad that she had to leave us. I will always cherish our friendship. Don, I express my deepest sympathy to you & the family. Abigail Achtzener
January 5, 2010
I am so sorry for your loss. As a neighbour I appreciated Helen's wonderful smile, great laugh, positive attitude, inspirational athleticism, and friendly advice. She always took time to talk and say hello. I will always remember her fondly. I am thinking of her family at this time as I can only imagine how difficult it is. She will be missed.
Sharon (Rosie) Flanagan
January 5, 2010
Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Helen was truly a light in the world that can never be snuffed out! I remember training at VGH with Helen and hearing her infectious laughter throughout the halls. Her wonderful smile, great sense of humour and positive attitude were Helen. She will not be forgotten, just the brightest star in the sky!!!! Donna( Ramsden)Kent
Lindsay Crawford-Paul
January 5, 2010
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have great childhood memories of Helen and always enjoyed running into her around Ocean Park.
Siobhan Rowe
January 5, 2010
I worked with Helen for only a couple of years at the Adoptive Families Association of BC, but she was a great support to me. I was impressed by her knowledge, at how many people she had helped form families, and at how much they appreciated her. What impressed me most was her strong ethics in relation to adoption -- they guided everything she did. When she retired I greatly missed the wonderful articles she wrote for our magazine. I really enjoyed knowing Helen and I am very sad to hear of her passing. I know she will be terribly missed.
Carole Stanton Speaker
January 5, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Margo Atkinson
January 4, 2010
Helen's passing is such a great loss to her family, her many friends and to the community. So many happy and fun memories of Helen from VGH nursing training days and from our reunions over the years. She will be missed.
My love and sympathy to Don and family,
Margo Renton Atkinson
Jo-Ann Tyrell Zador
January 4, 2010
We have lost a very special person and heaven has gained an angel. I knew Helen from VGH training days and will never forget her smile, her gracious warmth, her joyous laugh and her ability to see the positive in everyone.
To Don, her children and her grandchildren, I wish the memories of your delightful Helen give you comfort and strength; my condolences to you all.
J. March
January 4, 2010
I will always cherish her warmth of heart, deep kindness of soul, and her always welcoming arms. She lived with a vivaciousness for life that I admired. It was an honour to be a flowergirl at her wedding, and I have ever since looked up to her as the person I would like to be. My sincere condolences to all the family and her friends ... I know she will be missed very much. With love,
Laura Dutchak
January 4, 2010
The world has lost a wonderful smile. A woman who made a difference and did it so gracefully. A strong and peaceful person but whose last battle she could not win. She brought laughter with her everywhere she went and brought fun into every room. Deepest sympathy Uncle Don, Jan, Barb, Daniel and Steve. Your hearts must be so heavy. Hopefully see you in February to share in the memories.
Peace.
Merrilee (Gail) Cameron
January 4, 2010
Dear Don and family....Helen and I took Public Health together at UBC, started the Planned Parenthood Clinic in White Rock, and shared a few stories about CB. My Dad was Jack Cameron on MadKenzie. She will continue to live in the hearts of all of us who knew her. My love and best wishes to all of you.
Merrilee Cameron
Diane Voripaieff
January 4, 2010
My deepest sympathy to Don and all the family on the loss of their beloved Helen. VGH class of '64 was so much the better for our classmate Helen being among us for those three years.
She will be missed by many, her family most of all, as well as all those lives she touched over the years. Enough good cannot be said for your Helen.
With love and sympathy to you all.
Sincerely, Diane
Joanne McCague
January 3, 2010
I remember Helen from training days at VGH and always will remember her positive and bubbly personality. My deepest sympathy to all the family, what a treasure you have lost
Al Patterson
January 2, 2010
My association with Helen goes back to childhood days in Kimberley. I just heard from my classmates Mike McMahon and Colleen (Dixon) McMahon of Helen's passing. Although I did not have any direct contact with Helen after high school it is always sad to hear when anyone from "Kimberley days" leaves us. When she was growing up we kinda knew she would do something special with her life. Reading the on-line details about her family confirms that she built a very strong foundation with her husband, family and grand kids. It sounds like her fight for life was courageous. It also great to hear that she used her initiative and terrific personality to establish a legacy that will live on for years to come. I am sure that her entire family can be very proud of their "Kimberley" mother. May I express my deepest sympathy to you all.
January 2, 2010
To Helen's family;
Ross, Marilynne and the Nanaimo Mark family express our deepest sympathy to you all. We shall all miss Helen's wonderful laugh and love.
We have wonderful memories with all of you.
January 2, 2010
What a wonderful tribute to Helen. With love Carolyn B.
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