Obituary of Helen Bailey

Surrounded by the love of family and friends, Helen Louise Bailey of Bengough, SK, passed away on November 30, 2016, at the age of 85. Helen was born on August 18, 1931, at Abbey, SK, to Alfred and Hazel (nee St. John) Anderson. She had an older sister, Jane, and a younger sister, Margaret. A brother, Lyall, passed away in infancy. Helen was raised in Lemsford, SK, where her father had a blacksmith shop. While growing up, Helen's father built a family cabin at Cypress Hills, and Helen had many fond memories of time spent there. She attended grades 1 through 12 in Lemsford, and in September of 1948 attended Normal School in Moose Jaw, SK. The following year, Helen found her first teaching position at Riverview School, south of Weyburn. It was at Normal School that Helen met the love of her life, Roy Bailey. They were married on August 18, 1950, in Moose Jaw. In September of 1950 they both accepted teaching positions at Aiyansh, BC, and in the summer of 1951 they moved to the Jim Lidbury farm at Harptree, where they spent the next four years. In August of 1951 their first child, Lyall, was born. Helen and Roy were devastated when Lyall passed away three short months later. In January of 1952, Helen took a teaching position at Constance for four months. It was a time of healing for her, after which she returned to the farm at Harptree and taught at Muddy View School until the end of June. Two more children were born to Helen and Roy, Susan in 1953 and Janet in 1954. The family moved to Bengough in 1955, as Roy accepted a teaching position there. A year later they returned to Harptree, making their home in the teacherage. During these years, Helen raised her family and worked with the younger grades, allowing Roy to spend more time with the older grades. Helen and Roy were also farmers, and during the busy months when Roy was in the field, Helen would step in and take over the teaching. In 1961 they moved back to Bengough, and in 1971 they moved to Elrose, as Roy had accepted a position with the school division there. Helen was happy to be closer to her mother and sister, but was thrilled when the decision was made to move back to Bengough in 1982. Helen was involved in the community; she enjoyed quilting, going for walks, swimming and riding her bike around town. She was active in the Church and was a member of Tops for many years. On April 16, 2005, Helen and Roy moved to Thomson Lake. Helen settled in to lake life and made some very good friends. In 2013 Helen and Roy moved to a retirement home in Moose Jaw and, due to her failing health, Helen moved to the Care Home in Bengough earlier this year. Helen was proud to be a homemaker. She took pride in what she did and there was no job tackled by Helen that was not completed without thought and effort. Helen kept a spotless house and when she did the laundry she made sure the whites were sparkling. She will be remembered by so many for her hospitality. Helen was a wonderful letter writer, and spent many hours corresponding with people this way. When she set a pen to paper she had a wonderful way of saying what she wanted and making each person feel special. Helen was very proud of her family, and loved spending time with her children and grandchildren. Helen's family know that whenever they see a butterfly they will feel her presence, and special memories of her will always be in their hearts. Helen is survived by her loving family, husband of 66 years Roy Bailey; daughter Susan (Blair) Roberts, grandson Kris (Tasha) Roberts, great grandchildren Annika, Amery, Lenaya, Karlyn, grandson Karl (Helen) Roberts; great grandchildren Avyn, Evan, Stella, grandson Jeffry (Tara) Roberts, great grandchildren Louis, William, granddaughter Lia (Rey) Baffour-Awuah, great grandchildren Josia, Charlotte, granddaughter Lori (Alex) Dieterle, great grandchild Luca; daughter Janet (Laverne) Tetreau, grandson Brad (Kyla) Tetreau, granddaughter Janna (Dean) Mushie, great grandchildren Cayman, Morgan, Hayden, grandson Bryn (Maggi) Tetreau, sister Margaret Jones. Predeceased by her son Lyall Bailey (November 20, 1951); grandson Kori Roberts (August 17, 1979); parents Alfred and Hazel Anderson; brother Lyall Anderson; sister Jane Anderson; brother-in-law Rosser Jones. Funeral Service was held on Saturday, December 3, 2016, at 1:00 p.m., at the Bengough Community Centre, Bengough, SK. Officiant was nephew Wendell Bailey. Prayer was shared by Garth Oberkirsch and a reading by Winston Bailey, both nephews of Helen. Helen's heartfelt eulogy was shared by lifelong friend Barry Kemp. Tributes were given by sister-in-law Margo Maxwell, friend Mina Patel, and granddaughter Janna Mushie. Closing prayer was shared by Blair Roberts. Honorary Pallbearers were Helen’s grandchildren. Urn Bearer was Kris Roberts. Interment took place at Harptree Clearview Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Helen to the Bengough Twilight Home Auxiliary, Box 437, Bengough, SK S0C 0K0, were greatly appreciated. Heartfelt thanks goes out to the Bengough Care Home and the Bengough Community for welcoming our Mom, Helen Bailey, "home" for these past months. She was happy to be back in Bengough surrounded by so many good friends. Thank you to all who contributed to the wonderful lunch, gave donations in memory of Mom, and offered words of kindness. Roy H. Bailey Susan and Janet and families