HELEN (PERRY) THORLACIUS

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HELEN (PERRY) THORLACIUS Helen passed away peacefully with family at her bedside on February 25, 2005 in her 93rd year. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Patricia Schwartz (Dave), grandsons Jeff Schwartz and Berk Schwartz (Amy), great-granddaughter Beth; her daughter Carol Davidson (Bert), grandson Greg Davidson (Christine) and great-grandchildren, Jana and Casey, granddaughter Christy and great-granddaughter Claire. She is also survived by brother Harold Perry (Norma) and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and godchild, Kim Lutz. Helen was predeceased by her husband, Arni; brothers Fred and Pat Perry and her sister Dora Perry. Helen was born July 24, 1912 the second child of Reginald and Ella Perry. She lived almost her entire life in the Ashern area. She went to school at Silver Bay and Ashern. Helen married Arni Thorlacius on November 10, 1939 and they lived happily on the farm at Dolly Bay. She said that the happiest time of her life was on the farm on the beautiful shore of Lake Manitoba. There, the farmhouse was a second home to a large extended family and many friends. Helen was a member of the Ashern United Church, the Canadian Legion and the CNIB. Mom's family was most important in her life. She loved her grandchildren very deeply and they have many fond memories of her loving care. She loved to cook and bake. Her pot roasts were the best anywhere, and the aroma of doughnuts, cinnamon buns and lemon pie, filled the air. Mom embraced and enjoyed the Icelandic culinary traditions, so vinarterta, rullupylsa and kleinur were standard fare. Mom loved the outdoors and spent a lot of time walking through the forest and along the lakeshore. As she got older she walked around Ashern and many times when we came home we were told that she had been just seen out walking. Swimming in Lake Manitoba at the farm was very special to her and she went often, even after she became older and her eyesight was failing. Mom enjoyed her garden and the flowers. She faithfully fed the birds and enjoyed listening to them sing outside her window after she could no longer see them. The farm was a sanctuary for many geese. Knitting was her passion and we were the recipients of many sweaters she had knit. Reading was an important pastime for Mom and she would get books from the University of Manitoba extension services. After she couldn't read anymore she got talking books from CNIB. She listened to the radio and was always up on the news. After Mom became blind, she remained the independent lady she had always been. She lived many years in First Choice Manor in Ashern and enjoyed many good times there. Mom moved to the St. Adolphe Personal Care Home in July 2003 after her illness took away her independence. She was very content and happy there. Her family truly appreciates the loving care she received at St. Adolphe Personal Care Home. The nurses, care-workers, and her companion Elizabeth, were very special to Mom. Thank you all so much. Her last days were much better because of the people there. We are also very appreciative of our extended family's support and loving care for Mom. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 5 at the Ashern United Church, with Rev. Melanie Kauppila officiating. A private family interment will be held prior to the service. Donations in Helen's memory may be made to the Children's Hospital Foundation, CE 501, 840 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3A 1S1 or The CNIB Manitoba Division, 1080 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3G 9Z9. Arrangements By: Arnason Funeral Home LTD. Ashern - Lundar 1-204-768-2072

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 03, 2005