Helen Thiessen
January 11, 1920 - January 7, 2010
Born in St. Anne, Manitoba, Helen passed into eternity with peace and security with family by her side. Helen lived a full life, working to support her family until her late twenties. At that time she took her Junior Matriculation and then graduated from Normal School with her teacher’s certificate. Helen had read about Vanderhoof as a teenager and was excited to be offered a teaching position in Braeside 60 years ago. She was Vanderhoof’s first kindergarten teacher, and also taught other grades in several schools. Other interests were teaching Sunday School and youth at the Gospel Chapel, the Fall Fair Board,
4-H, Speech Arts, flower and vegetable gardening. Helen married Dave in 1952, who predeceased her in 2001. She is survived by her four children, Gerry (Lesley) Thiessen, Kathy (Dean) Tompkins, Wilf Thiessen and Doug Thiessen, 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 10 brothers and sisters, numerous brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Campbell, the nurses, and support staff at St. John Hospital, as well as the residents and staff at Riverside Place. Memorial services were held at the Gospel Chapel on January 10, 2010. In Helen’s memory donations may be made to Nechako Valley Community Services for the garden patio project at Riverside Place, a place where Helen said she “Couldn’t be happier”.