Obituary of Helen Rowbotham

Helen Marie Rowbotham of Calgary passed away at the Foothills Medical Centre on Tuesday, December 7, 2004 at the age of 88 years. Helen was born in Wawota, SK on July 28, 1916. She grew up in Saskatchewan and moved to New Westminster, BC, where she married Bruce in 1937, started a family, and came to Calgary in 1948. Since then, she has lived in Calgary, with the exception of a brief time she and Bruce spent in British Columbia, at Adams Lake in the 1970’s. In Calgary, Helen was active in her community, with a membership at Hillhurst United Church for many years. Family always came first in Helen’s life and she excelled at all the skills necessary to maintain her home–her cooking was renowned and she will always be remembered for the wonderful roses that were the highlight of her garden. She was predeceased by her husband Bruce in 1988 and beloved grandson Tony in 1978, three brothers and two of her sisters. Helen is survived by three loving daughters and three sons-in-law; Joan and Robert Frederick of Calgary, Margery and Robert Dick of Vauxhall, AB, and Shirley and John Arbuthnott, also of Calgary; six grandchildren, Chris, Laura and Jaime Frederick, Jeff and Julie Dick, Melissa and her husband Ken Taylor; and her precious great-grandson, Ezra Frederick Lainsbury, all of whom will miss her greatly. Helen is also survived by her sisters Kay Lines in Australia, and Dorothy Tonnellier in SK. She will be very much missed by the many nieces, nephews and their families, with whom she kept close contact through her long life. She will be lovingly remembered for her generous spirit as her home was always open to the many friends and relatives whom she cherished. Funeral Services will be held at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Chapel of the Bells (2720 Centre Street North) on Friday, December 10, 2004 at 2:30 p.m. with the Rev. Bruce R. Sheasby officiating. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 1825 Park Road S.E., Calgary, AB T2G 3Y6 Telephone: (403) 264-5549, www.heartandstroke.ca. or directly to the Alberta Lung Association, P.O. Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton, AB T6E 6K2 Telephone: 1 (888) 566 – 5864. In living memory of Helen Rowbotham, a tree will be planted at Nose Creek Valley by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 CENTRE STREET NORTH, CALGARY Telephone: (403) 276-2296.