Obituary of Helen Craig Brereton

BRERETON: After a wonderful life, Helen Craig (Campbell) Brereton died at her residence at Dinsdale Personal Care Home on Wednesday, September 18th, 2013. Her two daughters, Judy Pilling and Marion Mazer, were privileged to be at her side as she peacefully left this world. Helen was born on July 4th, 1920 in Virden, Manitoba and was the daughter of Duncan and Susan (Ballantyne) Campbell, who had recently emigrated from Scotland to begin farming in Canada. Helen was the last surviving sister of six siblings: Rob, Tommy, Archie, Grace, Mary, and Jean (Williamson). Helen grew up in the Virden area. She found life on the farm a very happy one despite losing her Mother at a very young age. She attended school in the Harmsworth area. Life at that time was supported by close relationships with everyone in the small farming community. At the age of 17, Helen enrolled in the Brandon General Hospital School of Nursing. In these prewar years, she met the love of her life, Jimmy Brereton, at a community dance. She went on to graduate from the School of Nursing as the youngest graduate of her year and was the recipient of the gold medal. Shortly thereafter Helen did a short stint at the Vancouver General Hospital, where she pursued her career on the maternity ward. The arrival of an engagement ring, by mail, from Jim persuaded her to return to Brandon. Helen and Jimmy married on April 9th, 1942, just two months before Jimmy was shipped overseas for the war. During the years Jim was overseas, Helen moved to live with Jim's family while he was away. They supported and loved her in his absence while she pursued her nursing career at BGH. After his return, they set up residence in Brandon and lived at 1222-8th Street for their entire marriage. During that time, their two daughters, Jude and Marion were born. Family life was close and they made many great friends in the community. Throughout these years she continued her nursing career, particularly enjoying the maternity ward, where she was known to deliver a baby or two in the absence of a doctor. Helen's final nursing placement was at Fairview Personal Care Home, where she was the Director of Nurses for 16 years. In this capacity she took courses on the care and management of the elderly, becoming an advocate for the quality of life of our seniors. After Helen and Jim retired, they travelled a little but their hearts were at Pelican Lake, where they built a cottage together from the ground up. The building of the cottage was a huge endeavour and one of the highlights of their life together. They were always a great team. The family cottage is still a gathering place for friends and family every summer. It must be mentioned that Helen had a great sense of humour, loving to play tricks, dress up in goofy costumes, and have crazy fun. She also loved music and dancing and knew the words to more songs than anyone could imagine. If she didn't know what to say, she could always sing a song. In the latter years her theme song was "Enjoy Yourself, It's Later Than You Think". Her parting words to everyone at her 90th Birthday Party were, "live each day like it's your last and one day you'll be right"!! She frequently would say that she had a great, good life. Helen was predeceased by her husband Jim in 1992, her Mother and Father and her six brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter Judy Pilling, Grandson Trevor Pilling (Marivel), great-granddaughters Maia and Callie, her daughter Marion Mazer (Ed), granddaughters Gina Mazer, and Melanie Worth (Stew), great-granddaughters Jayne and Kate. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Patricia Campbell, several nieces and nephews and their families including: Janice Bradley, Robert Campbell, Lynne Friesen, Duncan Campbell, Neil Campbell, Lyle Campbell, Meryle Campbell-Peters, Shirley Austin, Glen Campbell, Josie Campbell, Colin Campbell, Rick Williamson, Bob Williamson. A memorial service to celebrate Helen's life will be held at St. Matthew's Cathedral, 403-13th Street, on Saturday, September 28th at 4:00 p.m., with The Rt. Rev. Jim Njegovan officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helen's name to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation, 150 McTavish Avenue East, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 2B3 or to Dinsdale Personal Care Home, 510-6th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 3N9.