Rev. Helga Ingeborg Elliott

The Reverend Helga Ingeborg Elliott (born 3 January 1928), daughter of Dora and Eugene Binder, beloved wife of the late George Boyden Elliott, died peacefully on 20 December 2024 at the Markham-Stouffville Hospital.

She leaves behind her children Dyan (Rick), Dori (Ross), and Robert (Diane) and her grandchildren Jessica, Lauren, Liam, and Nicole. She was recently predeceased by her eldest child, Geordie.

Helga (affectionately known to many as “Biddy”) was a force of nature. She was born in the Romanian city of Sibiu, also called Hermannstadt in German. It was part of the Siebenbürgen or “seven castles,” after the seven (ethnic German) Transylvanian Saxons’ cities in the region. She was very proud of this heritage and would refer frequently to her illustrious (though perhaps fictional) family tree. Her life wasn’t easy: she came to Toronto when she was seven -- the only child of immigrant parents who leaned on their precocious child for her facility with language and people.

Helga was an exemplary student, who made the honour roll at Jarvis Collegiate. She was also a gifted classical pianist who, long ago, competed in the Kiwanis Festival against the likes of Glenn Gould. Helga met her future husband, George, at Bigwin Inn on the Lake of Bays, where she was a waitress and he a bellhop. The night they met, he told her on the dance floor that, some day, he would marry her. They were both seventeen, and Helga told him he was crazy. Nevertheless, his words proved prophetic, and they were married six years later.

Although she had been awarded a scholarship to University of Toronto, her education was deferred -- first by her father’s illness, which required that she work, and then by marriage. But finally, after having four children, she continued her education with gusto -- completing a BA in German and French, then a teacher’s certificate, and, ultimately, a Master of Divinity.

Her dual vocation as high school teacher and deacon in the Anglican church was essential to who she was. She taught ESL (English as a Second Language) to recent immigrants as she had once been. Her vocation as a deacon grew out of a deep religious calling that she experienced when she was thirty-three.

This led to a lifelong involvement with the Sisters of St. John the Divine, with whom she became an Associate, and All Souls Church in North York (now Church of the Incarnation) where she would serve as a deacon. She was also active as a pastor at North York General Hospital.

Helga was charismatic, attracting people of all ages and all walks of life. Though a mediocre cook at best, she was a fabulous hostess. Her, often bizarre, but always celebratory dinners were legendary.

The funeral will be held at the Sisters of St. John the Divine at 233 Cummer Ave., Toronto, ON M2M 2E8 on 29 December 2024 at 2:30 p.m. A reception will be held immediately following the funeral at Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home, 6191 Yonge St., North York, ON M2M 4K4. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to World Vision.