Obituary of Helen Elizabeth Jones

JONES: Helen Elizabeth Jones (née Copeland) It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt and friend; Helen, age 94 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre on Wednesday, September 28th, 2016. Helen was called home and passed peacefully with her daughter and grandsons by her side. Helen was born in McCreary, Manitoba on January 15th, 1922 and attended Bracken School where she met Les, the love of her life. Later the family moved to Ochre River, Manitoba where her Mom and Dad ran Cope's Café and later a small corner store. Helen was always busy helping out in the café and later worked for the Beaver Hardware Store in Ochre River. On August 27, 1941 Helen & Les were married in Winnipeg, Manitoba and started their lives together forever. Throughout the early years they bounced around a lot until finally settling in Winnipeg, Manitoba when Les became the Secretary Treasurer of Assiniboia. Helen was a very social person, making friends and acquaintances quickly which enriched her life as these became lifelong relationships. Helen valued family and loved people. Helen possessed the unique ability to instantly make her guests feel loved and important to her. She always had an open door when friends and family stopped by for a bite or a bed for the night. On September 9th, 1952, Helen started a new chapter in her life with the birth of their son Dean, who was joined by his little sister, Gay, on October 1st, 1959. Helen felt her life was blessed as family was her greatest joy and watching them grow and learn the lessons she taught made her feel complete. Helen not only taught life lessons. As the family cook, carpenter, plumber and handywoman; she passed on many skills to all of her children and the generations that followed. She shared her love of music, conversation, and taking the time to be with family with us all. In her last days she took great comfort in knowing that we had learned these lessons well. Helen was always busy volunteering or working at a job of some kind - making chocolates for Morden's Chocolates, then later, working many years at the Odeon Drive-In just outside Winnipeg. It was there that she introduced us to the entertainment in movies - something we enjoyed together for many years. Upon Les' retirement, Helen & Les moved to Dauphin to be closer to family and their favorite place - their cottage at Ochre Beach. That is where they enjoyed many good times and made many great memories. Helen kept busy working as a part time cleaner at Johnston's Law Office and ran the beach store for a couple of years. In 1994, Helen & Les moved to Brandon, Manitoba to be closer to their daughter. They were fortunate to find a little house on a beautiful street with great neighbours. They loved that house and Helen remained there until she took ill in early September. Helen is survived by her loving daughter Gay, whom she was very proud of; her precious grandsons: Kevin (Chelle) and Scott (Jenni) along with great grandchildren: Grayden, Poppy, Paisley, and Emmett. Sister Lois (Floyd) Kristjanson, Ochre River, Manitoba; sister-in-law Grace (Bill) Jones, St. Albert, Alberta and extended family; cousins; nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her beloved husband Les in 2003; her only son Dean in 1999; parents Louis and Ethel Copeland; sisters: Velma (Ted) Park; Nell (Lloyd) Waite; brothers-in-law: Lloyd Waite; Ted Park and William (Bill) Jones. A Funeral Service will be held at the Brockie Donovan Chapel, 332-8th Street, on Friday, October 7th, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Joanne Kury of Headingley United Church officiating. A private interment will follow at a later date at McCreary Cemetery, McCreary, Manitoba. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Helen's memory to the Brandon University Foundation, 270-18th Street, Brandon, MB, R7A 6A9, towards a bursary in Helen's memory for the School of Nursing.