Beloved wife of the late David Major (2002), passed away peacefully in Fergus, Ontario on Thursday, March 23, 2017, at the age of 95.
Helen was born in Cut Knife, Saskatchewan on November 15, 1921 and grew up in the North Battleford area during difficult times. Her family was torn apart when her father was killed in a farm accident in the spring of 1922. In spite of the difficulties growing up without a father and enduring the Great Depression and World War II, Helen graduated with a Bachelor degree from the University of Saskatchewan. In August 1944 she married David Major, a Scottish airman training with the Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Helen moved to Scotland while David was stationed in Europe. In 1957 Helen and David returned to Canada with three children and settled in Ontario where a fourth child was born. She began her career as a technician in the forage laboratory of Professor Jack Winch in the Crop Science Department of the University of Guelph. As a laboratory technician she helped and mentored a large number of graduate students. She retired in 1986.
Helen was predeceased by her parents, Milton and Elizabeth Bingham, her husband David, sister Queade and brother, Milton. She is survived by her four children, Frances (Al) Paulissen of Belwood, ON; David Major (LaVerne Hamabata) of Lethbridge, AB; Elspeth (Peter) King of Mono, ON; and Queade (Bruno) Di Ilio of Ottawa, ten grandchildren, Alexander (Diane) Kee, William (Sonya) Kee, Jonathan Kee, Christina (Jamie) Kee, Julie Tames, Victoria (Rick) Soper, Ian (Raeni) Major, Noriko (Sean) Hessman, Aaron (Connie) Di Ilio and Morag Di Ilio and 11 great-grandchildren, Adam (Sarah), Aidan (Lana) and Angus Kee, Logan and Lachlan Gray, Sloane Soper, Aiko and Anouck Major, Cypris Rollins and Liam and Lucia Di Ilio. She was special great grandma to the “kidlets” Hannah and Ella Paulissen. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Vera (Ian) Wordie of Cumbernauld, Scotland and June Bingham of Comox, BC.
We would like to extend a special thank you to CCAC, the VON drivers, St. Joseph’s Day Program, Fergus and the personal support workers from Closing the Gap. We would also like to thank the medical staff at Groves Hospital for their kindness and compassion. Helen was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her quiet, gracious influence will be missed by all who knew her.
Friends will be received at the WALL-CUSTANCE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 206 Norfolk St., Guelph, Monday 7-9 p.m. Funeral service will be held at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 161 Norfolk Street, Guelph on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the church hall.
Memorial contributions to the Canadian Diabetes Association would be appreciated.
A tree will be planted in memory of M. Helen Major in the Wall-Custance Memorial Forest, University of Guelph Arboretum. Dedication service, Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 2:30 pm.