Obituary of Helen LaPierre

LAPIERRE: Surrounded by her family, Helen LaPierre passed away at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at the age of 83 years. Helen was predeceased by her husband John, parents Walter and Lena Shurb, and siblings Walter, Johnny, Jessie, Mary, Jean, Felix, Stella, and Mike. She will be lovingly remembered by daughter Pam (Murray) McKenzie, grandchildren Katie McKenzie (Brennan Kelly), Laura McKenzie (Chris Bell), and Evan McKenzie, and great-grandson Owen Kelly. Also survived by sister Eleanor (Victor) White, brother Louis (Marlene) Shurb, and many nieces and nephews. Helen was born in Brandon in 1932, part of a large, active family. She met a handsome soldier at a dance in Rivers in 1950, and married JP LaPierre in 1951. They embarked on a military life of constant relocation, including bases in Europe, Quebec, Ontario, and Newfoundland. Helen was a wonderful military wife, recreating home in one location after another, making good friends wherever she went. In retirement, Helen and John bought a home in Melbourne, Florida and, as a widow since 1984, Helen continued to travel to Florida every winter. The lifestyle she enjoyed in the Florida sunshine for six months of the year was a great source of happiness to her. She loved her volunteer job in Florida at a Women's Crisis Thrift Shop almost as much as she loved volunteering at the Brandon Regional Health Centre for the past 20 years. The great joy of Helen's life were her grandchildren Katie, Laura and Evan of whom she was very proud, and her great-grandson Owen. Her sister Eleanor and niece Cathy also held a special place in her heart. Helen was an outgoing, active, and thoughtful woman who enjoyed many close friendships. Faye, Wilbur, Donna, Linda and Shirley will especially miss her. She also leaves a circle of seven close friends in Brandon who provided love and support during her hospital stay, especially Kari, Irene, Barb and Sharon. The family would also like to thank the caring and professional staff of doctors and nurses at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Doctors Chadwick and Ashcroft especially, provided kind, compassionate, heart-felt care for which we are most grateful. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lions Manor, Victoria Avenue and First Street, West Entrance. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brandon Regional Health Centre Foundation "BRHC Volunteer Services".