Helen Josephine Thompson

It is with great sadness and love in our hearts that we announce the passing of Helen Josephine Thompson (nee Tobin) at the age of 86. Helen passed away peacefully with her 3 sons at her side at AgeCare Woodhaven in Markham, ON on the evening of Thursday, November 14, 2024. The family wishes to thank all of the staff at Woodhaven for their kindness and excellent level of care provided to Helen during her stay there.

Helen is survived by Alan, her beloved husband of 57 years. Together, they raised 3 children in Markham – Kevin (Hilary), Jason (Kim) and Ian (Mimi). Helen and Alan were blessed with 6 grandchildren: Anton, Jeremy, Hailey, Griffin, Brendan and Ella to whom Helen was utterly devoted.

Helen was born on March 19, 1938 and raised in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, by her parents, John and Elizabeth Tobin. She was the 6th of 8 children. Their house on Main Street where she lived with her parents, grandmother (Gertrude Griffin) and siblings Marie, Jack, Gerry, Tom, Gertrude, Kevin and Elizabeth, was a bustling place where guests were always welcome.

Like her sisters and dearest friends Liz and Gert, Helen pursued education and opportunities in health care. She graduated with a nursing degree from St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Glace Bay, NS in Oct 1963. In January 1964, she moved to Ontario and began her 40-year nursing career. Helen worked in all areas of nursing from the ER, general medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, and rehabilitation. Mom impacted thousands over the years with her skill, impeccable work ethic, high energy and loving, friendly manner.

Helen met Alan through a mutual friend and, after a brief courtship, they married on October 28th, 1967, in Toronto. At first glance, this pair may have seemed like opposites. Alan; 6’4”, kind, reserved, and thoughtful… Helen; 5’3”, boisterous and outgoing with her heart on her sleeve. But their powerful, shared commitment to family values made them a perfect match. Their devotion to one another was unbreakable and perhaps best exemplified by Helen’s simple, constant, daily reference to Alan throughout their lives as “my love”. A telltale sign of a life well lived together.

Helen was an excellent cook who loved to entertain. Life with their 3 sons was marked by big celebrations for every birthday and holiday, as well as time spent at the local tennis club, family ski trips, and memorable summer holidays at Clevelands House Resort in Muskoka. Helen was also an expert weaver, and an avid gardener. The immense and artfully designed gardens at hers and Alan’s home in Ballantrae were truly a labour of love that the couple shared. Like her mother before her, Helen had a keen interest in politics and was never shy to put pen to paper to speak her mind and work towards change. Helen’s roles as Mother and “Nana” were the ones she deeply cherished. She never let an opportunity to gush over her sons and grandchildren pass by, and was a loud and proud cheerleader for all of their accomplishments.

Upon retirement, Helen, never one to sit still, turned her energies to running. She graduated from an absolute beginner runner, at the age 65, to Boston Marathon finisher in a matter of years, raising funds for charitable causes and leaving her family, and all those she met along the way, in awe of her determination, energy and spirit.

A visitation for Helen will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Thompson Funeral Home, 530 Industrial Parkway South, Aurora, ON L4G 6W8 followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM in the Tribute Hall. A reception will follow immediately afterwards in the Heritage Room.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Society of Ontario (https://alzheimer.ca/on/en).