Obituary of Helen Lena KELLY

February 28, 1950 – Fort Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan
February 4, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Helen Kelly of Calgary, AB passed away on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at the age of 70 years after a lengthy battle with Breast Cancer.

Born in Fort Qu’Appelle, SK “in a blizzard”, Helen left us on Feb. 4th on the only nice weather day in a week of snowy skies. To her family, she was the sunshine, and always lived her life on the positive side.  Helen was first to be there for her family in sharing her guidance, life skills and of course her nursing experience with every member of the family. While she was always ready to share her wealth of experience, she always presented a realistic, practical explanation without “sugar coating” things. This was ALWAYS appreciated.

Helen lived her youth in Fort Qu’Appelle and it was obvious even then that she would devote her time and energy to helping others. Before graduation from high school, she worked at the Fort Sanatorium during summer vacation.  She enjoyed spending time with her friends and getting into mischief.  Helen was also selected as the Fort Qu’Appelle Winter Festival Snow Queen during her high school term. Within the family, Helen was always our “Snow Queen”.

After graduating from high school, she moved to Calgary to study nursing at the Holy Cross Hospital School of Nursing and lived in residence.  Summer months found her spending time in Red Deer with her older sisters and working part-time at the West Park Nursing Home. Graduating with the Class of 1973 she received her Diploma in Nursing as a Graduate Nurse and was a member of the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses. Helen then moved to Red Deer to start her career at the Red Deer General Hospital where she worked for a number of years. Helen then returned to Calgary and continued her education in nursing by completing the Nursing Unit Administration Program in 1985 and obtaining her Degree of Bachelor of Nursing in November of 1989 at the University of Calgary. Helen also worked at the Colonel Belcher Hospital and while working in many hospital environments it was palliative care that became her focus for the remainder of her career.  It was during this time she returned to school to continue her education in the palliative care field and spent the balance of her 30 plus years of service at the Peter Lougheed Hospital as a Unit Manager and finally a Transition Nurse.  Helen retired from the nursing field in 2010. Throughout her career, Helen was a strong advocate for her patients, and was a valued mentor to many of her staff and co-workers.

Helen spent hours reading and enjoyed harassing her Calgary family by cheering for the Saskatchewan Rough Riders at every opportunity (and NEVER letting her Alberta-based family members forget about it!). Helen enjoyed traveling to many destinations with her friends and family. She never could turn down a “shopping trip to the mall” where she loved to search out “sparkly clothes”, purses or shoes. As she would always proclaim, “I just couldn’t resist the bargain!”

Helen is survived by her sister Margaret Kelly of Leduc, AB, numerous nieces and nephews; and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Helen was predeceased by her parents, one brother Kenneth Kelly of Regina, SK and one sister Evelyn McCutchin of Calgary, AB.

The family will hold a private Spring Memorial Service for Helen. 
Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Helen’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222.  www.albertacancer.ca/memorial. 

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to her home care nurses, doctors and oncology team without their support the family would not have been able to help Helen with her goal to pass at home. They also give sincere gratitude to Dr. Sasha Lupichuk, Rae and her home care nurse Abby.

In living memory of Helen Kelly, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.