ETHEL MARY HELLIWELL FONAGER MCFADYEN

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ETHEL MARY HELLIWELL FONAGER MCFADYEN January 22, 1920 - August 3, 2014 We are saddened by the passing of Ethel Fonager McFadyen on August 3, 2014, at Park Manor Personal Care Home in Winnipeg. Ethel Mary Helliwell was born January 22, 1920 in Calder, Saskatchewan, daughter of Mary and George Helliwell, who married in England and immigrated to Canada. At age 18 Ethel married Peter Fonager in Roblin, Manitoba where they lived and were blessed with their first daughter, Thelma. In the early 1940s, Peter accepted a job with Sherritt Gordon Mines and the family moved to Sherridon, Manitoba. Shortly thereafter, their second daughter, Marilyn, was born followed three years later by son, Erik. In 1951 with the closing of the Sherridon mine site, the family relocated to Winnipeg. Ethel soon took a position with Eaton's where she worked until her retirement. Her husband, Peter Fonager passed away in 1968. Ethel later married James McFadyen and was widowed again in 1985. In addition to her career at Eaton's, Ethel was actively involved in church and community activities. Ethel had an insatiable quest for knowledge and discovery. In 1981 she returned to school to obtain her Grade XII High School Diploma and went on to achieve certificates in Word Processing, Typing, Accounting, Income Tax Preparation, Calligraphy and Astrology. Ethel honed her accounting skills by working part-time for H&R Block. She gave of herself, working as a volunteer accountant for the Friends of Manitoba Schizophrenia Society - a service for which she was honoured by the Premier of Manitoba, Ed Schreyer. Ethel loved her children, her grandchildren (Glen, Carolyn, Rodney, Russell and Ted), her great-grandchildren (Adam, Callum, Bryan and Kevin), and her large extended family. She shared a very special friendship with her great-niece, Brenda Chapman, and was a proud member of her entire Helliwell family, treasuring each visit and outing with relatives. Ethel also highly valued and enjoyed her very special relationship with Sandi Yurichuk, a dear friend today, and a friend for the many years that have gone by. Ethel was an optimist and always saw the glass half-full. Her interests were many and varied. She loved gardening and music; enjoyed playing bridge, taking in a good movie, winning any debate and simply being with friends. She was a loyal friend to many. A memorial service for Ethel will be held on Friday, August 8, at 10:00 a.m. at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, 4000 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg. Chapel Lawn www.chapellawn.ca 204-885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 07, 2014