Peacefully at Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital, on Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the age of 87. Dearly beloved wife of John O’Neill. Loving mother of Kevin (Christina), Anne (Roy) Bradt, and the late Kathleen. Cherished grandmother of Sean, Jamie, Nicholas, and Shauna. She is predeceased by her parents Catherine and James Woods and her siblings Denis (Freida) Woods and Rosaleen (Mervyn) Lewis.
Helena came to Canada from “the thriving metropolis” of Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1957 for her brother Denis’ wedding. She decided to stay because she liked that she could get a job on her own merit and not worry that her religion would hinder her prospects. Helena met John in 1958 and they wed in 1959. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this past September. John always told people that Helena was waiting for him at the docks and she didn’t even have a pair of knickers to her name.
Before having children, Helena was a Clerk/Typist at several companies. She left the workforce in 1963 to raise her family. She returned part-time in the 1980s to work at the postal outlet at Kipling Heights where she was a fixture (some would argue, a legend). She always had people laughing and made buying overseas stamps a good time. When that post office closed, Helena was able to get a job in the postal outlet at Shoppers Drug Mart at Albion Mall. There, she was a favourite too. People often let others cut in ahead in line just so they could be served by her. Helena’s coworkers loved her, often poking fun at her Irish accent. The accent really got thicker if there were other Irish people around. She told people that on Canada Day, she would speak like a Canadian. When Helena retired, it was bitter-sweet and she was sent off with love from her Shoppers family
Helena and John raised their family in Rexdale. They lived there for 46 years before moving to Orillia almost 10 years ago. They were a fixture at St. Benedict’s Parish, often helping to run the St. Patrick’s Day and New Year’s Eve dances. They had their seats at the back of the church and people at the 9:15 am mass knew to leave the O’Neill’s seats empty until they arrived. Her religion was of the utmost importance to Helena.
When family or friends arrived from Ireland, Helena always had her door open and tea and soda bread ready. She was the “hostess with the mostess” and hovered over the cousins, ensuring they had enough blankets, pillows, tea, or wee bikkies in their hands.
Helena loved her family ferociously. Then came the grandchildren. These four tiny babies could do no wrong and were the light of her life. Apparently, grandchildren were meant to have chips and bikkies for breakfast. She was always so proud of the grandchildren and would gang up with them against their parents. She called them her “wee angels”.
Although dementia had taken over her body, it did not take over her spirit. She was funny until the end. The staff at Spencer House said she really kept them entertained in her short time there.
Helena left us on what would have been Kathleen’s 59th birthday. She is Kath’s heavenly birthday present.
Helena will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends. Resting at NEWEDIUK FUNERAL HOME, KIPLING CHAPEL, 2058 Kipling Avenue (North of Rexdale Boulevard), Toronto, on Thursday, November 16, 2023, from 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Benedict Church, 2194 Kipling Avenue, Toronto, on Friday, November 17, 2023, at 10 a.m. Cremation to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations to Diabetes Canada would be appreciated. Online condolences at newediukfuneralhome.com