Helen Dorothy MacDonald

MACDONALD (ASHE), Helen D. - 80, of Halifax. It is with heavy hearts that the family of Helen MacDonald announces her sudden yet peaceful passing at home on December 31, 2012. Helen was the youngest girl in a family of seven children and attended St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Patrick's Girls High School. She later attended Maritime Business College, which prepared her for her work as a secretary with Furness Withy & Company. Helen was an active member of the St. Thomas Aquinas Social Club and it was here that she met her husband, Leo. They married in 1956 and shared 56 wonderful years of marriage and together raised nine much-loved children. Helen was a fun-loving person who delighted in joking with her family and who had many friendships. She was an avid crafter, a voracious reader, a talented pianist and always kept up with current events. More than anything; however, she treasured her family. She devoted her entire life to raising her children and making a warm and welcoming household for everyone. She loved to laugh and we are blessed to have had so many years of happy times to remember. Helen will be greatly missed by her loving husband and true partner in life, Leo; her nine adoring children: Bill (Joan), Halifax; Patrick (Brenda), Toronto; Clare (John), Delta, BC; Leo, Toronto; Kathleen (Peter), Windsor, ON; Brian (Alice), Windsor Junction; Bob (Denise), Dartmouth; Eunice (Ray), Killington, VT; Ann (Dale), Halifax; sisters Kitty (Hugh), Ottawa; Pauline, Halifax, Clare, Halifax, brother Jim (Michel), Ottawa; grandchildren Andrew, Shannon, Genevieve, Kathleen, Kevin, Shaunacy, Ashley, Quinn, Kelsey, Damien, Gabriel, Magnolia, Alex, Charlie, great-granddaughter Reaghan and many, many nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents, Wilfrid and Margaret Ashe, and brothers Gerry and Bob Ashe. Funeral arrangements are under the care of J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive with visitation from 2-4 and 7-9 on Friday, January 4th and Funeral Mass at St. Theresa's Parish, North St. Halifax on Saturday, January 5th at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Halifax branch of the Heart & Stroke Foundation. Please visit: www.jasnowfuneralhome.com