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HELEN MAE MCIVOR
Born: Apr 10, 1939
Date of Passing: Jul 17, 2025
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryHELEN MAE MCIVOR
Helen Mae McIvor was born on April 10, 1939, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was the only child of Ernie and Laura Barr. Helen passed away on July 17, 2025, after a 12-year decline due to dementia.
A Registered Nurse, Helen toured and worked in Europe in 1959 to 1960 with two RN friends, sparking a lifelong love of travel. This eventually led her to Thompson, Manitoba, in 1960, after she met Jim McIvor at a Winnipeg hospital. They married in 1962.
Upon reporting to the Thompson Hospital as a nurse, she was told, “We only hire single nurses.” In time, however, Helen secured a nursing position at the hospital as a married woman. Years later, she served as Chair of the Hospital Board for a three-year term. She was a strong advocate for organ donation, speaking to many community groups in Thompson.
As the mother of three active boys, Helen became deeply involved in the Thompson community. She found joy and purpose in the Thompson Music Festival, the United Church, and as a longtime member of the Aurora Singers. She represented various local businesses and welcomed newcomers to the community through the Welcome Wagon; helping many families establish roots in their new surroundings.
With her active sons, Helen learned to ski, golf, and curl. She joined a Senior Ladies curling team, which represented northern Manitoba at the Provincial Curling Championships in Winnipeg, for many years.
Helen spent the last 20 years of her working life as a Financial Planner with Mutual Life of Canada, which later became Sun Life. Helen firmly believed that women should be involved in family finances, and she excelled in her profession. She was consistently a top salesperson and one of the few women to attend the Million Dollar Round Table, representing the top tier of the financial industry.
Helen is survived by her husband of 63 years, Jim McIvor, her sons and their families: Keith and Alisa (Lauren and Liam), Lee and Kim (Scott and Madison), and Cam and Tammy (Amanda and Aidan).
A celebration of her life will be held on the afternoon of August 30, 2025, at the McIvor home at Setting Lake.
Sincere thanks to all the staff at Northern Spirit Manor. Your kindness and care for Helen is deeply appreciated, and to Boardman Funeral Home for their compassion and guidance.
As published in Brandon Sun, Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 16, 2025
Condolences & Memories (9 entries)
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Our condolences to Jim and the family. Don and I got to know Helen and Jim during our 'escape winter' years in Mesa, AZ. We were all part of a senior 'new to tennis' players who played on and off the tennis court. I was lucky enough to travel with our group of tennis gals. So many good memories! Helen was intelligent, creative, possessed a quick wit and a large dose of common sense. Whatever she took on, she did well. - Posted by: Alda Sigvaldason & Don Herman (friends) on: Aug 31, 2025
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Our condolences to Jim and the McIvor family. A wonderful lady and genuinely lovely person. We hope many fond memories help you in this difficult time. Marty & Cathy Holmberg - Posted by: Martin Holmberg (Friend) on: Aug 28, 2025
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We have been friends with all the McIvor family for many years. Helen recruited me (Shelly) as an agent for Mutual life and had so much respect for Helen over the years. Our heart goes out to all the McIvor Family. Rest in peace Helen Shelly & John McEachern - Posted by: Shelly & John McEachern (Friends) on: Aug 26, 2025
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Dear Jim and family, Our condolences. We met Jim and Helen 37 years ago. We moved in beside them. She was a wonderful welcoming neighbour. Very kind and strong woman. She did so much for this community. We watched as her three boys left the nest and our three just beginning. When they decided to move to Setting Lake she asked if we wanted her wooden chess board table. Our boys played it many times and we still use it to this day. Rest in Peace Helen Sincerely, Ann and Don Macdonald Andrew, Derek, and Jason - Posted by: Ann Macdonald (Friends) on: Aug 20, 2025
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On behalf of the WGH/HSC Nurses Alumni Association we extend our sincere condolences to Helen’s family and friends on her recent passing. She was a 1959B graduate of the Winnipeg General Hospital. She travelled to Europe following graduation and then settled in Thompson. Her obituary speaks to her contributions to that community. She will be missed by her nursing colleagues and the people whose lives she touched in Thompson. - Posted by: Carol Galbraith (Friendship Convenor Winnipeg General Hospital/Health Sciences Centre Nurses Alumni Association) on: Aug 19, 2025
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We feel for your loss. She was a great Lady and we enjoyed her company when ever we were able to get together. Jim and family will surely miss her. - Posted by: Norman & Elizabeth McIvor (1st cousin to Jim) on: Aug 19, 2025
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Dear Jim (and family), Wendy and I are both saddened your loss of Helen. She could light up a room with her smile and grace. On my last return to Setting Lake to visit you for a quick visit at your home in 2016 (after moving to Creston, BC in 2005), she still displayed that wonderful charm and grace. You had a wonderful life together. Thinking of you during this difficult time. Sincerely, Ross Gowan - Posted by: ROSS GOWAN (Setting Lake Cottage Association Friend of Jim & Helen) on: Aug 18, 2025
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Great lady. I always remember Helen as being so calm and so kind. Will be truly missed. Glenn Mcivor and family. - Posted by: Glenn McIvor (Cousin) on: Aug 16, 2025
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I got to know Helen and Jim through mutual life. I worked for and with Helen and Jim and Lee throughout my career and mutual life. Helen was a brilliant woman, intelligent, fun, loving. My husband, always loved talking with Helen. I always love my visits with Helen and Jim at the cabin. It was a toss-up who I was going to listen to. I shall miss her. My condolences to Jim, Keith Cam and Lee and their families. - Posted by: Carol Lindstrom (Friend) on: Aug 16, 2025