Helen Shirley Rhodes

Helen Shirley Rhodes (nee Ducharme)

Sept 13, 1942 - Nov 9, 2013

Helen is survived by her loving husband and best friend of forty years, Kevin,

her daughter Heather Kaluzny (James) and grand daughter Callie Autzen Anderson.

She was predeceased by her son Drew in 2010, and also by her parents Emile and Emily Ducharme and her brother Alex.

Helen will be remembered in the hearts of her brother Cliff(Joan) Ducharme of Red Deer and sister Beatrice Ducharme of Edmonton.

She is also survived by her mother in law Ethel Rhodes of Prince George, four sisters in law, Sharron of Houston, B.C., Brenda (Ian) of Sorrento, Sherry (Gerald) of Prince George and Janet (Steve) of Prince George. Helen was loved and adored by an abundance of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. They will cherish their fond memories of Aunty Helen.

Helen was born in Eureka River, Alberta. Her family did not have a lot of material wealth, but all worked hard, studied and learned the value of support for each other. Helen was a good student and graduated from the Misacordia Nursing School. She then travelled and worked in Europe. Returning to Canada, she nursed in Dawson Creek, Prince Rupert, and then Prince George in 1972. Helen and Kevin married in Vancouver on May 28th, 1973. Their son Drew was born May 10th, 1979 in Prince George.

The ravages of Rheumatoid Arthritis ended Helen's work as an ICU and PAR nurse at PGRH.

In 1993, the family moved to Kamloops for better treatment of her RA and a warmer climate.

Thanks to all friends and relatives for their support at this difficult time. A special thanks to all the doctors, nursing men and women, and all those others involved in her care.

A "Butterfly Party of Remembrance" will be held on May 10th, 2014, at the Desert Gardens, beginning at 1:00 p.m.