HELEN RAMSAY

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HELEN RAMSAY (nee MAJESKI) God's finger touched her, and she slept. On Thursday, April 21, 2016, Helen Ramsay, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away with grace and dignity, the same as she lived her life. Helen was 87 years old. She is survived by her loving husband William, her daughter Patricia van Rysselt (Lou), her sons Robert Ramsay (Kathy) and Kenneth Ramsay (Barbara), her grandchildren Melanie Spulnick (Brent), Lisa Rempel (Garth), Adam Ramsay (Lacey) and Stacey Kent (Al), her great-grandchildren, Brandon and Grace Spulnick, Anah and Kevin Rempel, Fiona, Caoimhe, Mirren and Edana Ramsay and Hailey and Deklan Kent, her brother William Majeski, her sister Elsie Denchak, and many dear friends and relatives. She was predeceased by her mother Katherine Majeski in 1967, her father Anthony Majeski in 1999, her brother-in-law Zeke Denchak, and sister-in-law Norma Majeski. Helen was born on January 14, 1929 to Anthony and Katherine Majeski. She lived all of her childhood in the North End where she attended King Edward and Isaac Newton Schools. She was active in Young Peoples at Robertson United Church and worked for several summers at Camp Robertson as an assistant cook. When Helen graduated from high school she began working at an insurance agency. She kept active in Robertson United Church and became involved in the Scouting Organization as a Cub leader. It was through Scouting that she met a handsome young Scout Leader by the name of Bill Ramsay. They were co-leaders at a Cub and Scout camp at Rabbit Lake in Kenora, Ontario and thus began a beautiful romance that spanned 67 years. She married Bill on August 18, 1951. Just less than a year later their first child Patsy was born. Then came Bobby and then Kenny. Helen stayed at home to raise her three children and was active and supportive in all their activities throughout the years. From Highland Dancing to Scottish Drumming, Girl Guide Events and many evenings at a hockey rink, she was always there cheering for her children. Helen was a Sunday School teacher, a Girl Guide leader, a volunteer for school functions and a baker extraordinaire for all the Scottish Piping events where Bill was involved as a piper. She continued to be a supporter of all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren watching many a synchronized swimming and highland dancing competition, attending band concerts, violin and cello concerts and singing along with the Winnipeg Youth Chorus in her latter years. Helen returned to the work force in 1967 for the Government of Manitoba as Administrative Support for Public Health and Home Care until she retired in 1989 receiving a Meritorious Service Award. Family was very important to Helen and every Sunday for 40 years, she put out a feast worthy of kings. Going to Granny Helen's for Sunday dinner, board games and lots of fun was a treat for both young and old. The cottage at Great Falls was Helen's tropical paradise. Many hours were devoted to the immaculate grooming of flowers and shrubs. Anyone who came to visit was mesmerized by the beauty of her flower gardens. Helen was an expert knitter as well as an artist at needlepoint. Each grandchild was dressed to the nines with mitts, toques, scarves and sweaters. Hundreds of mittens of all sizes were made by Helen and donated to churches, the Christmas Cheer Board and any other organization that needed mittens. Helen loved to travel. Travelling with friends on bus trips to the Casinos, gambling in Vegas, touring in Scotland and Florida with the Heather Belle Pipe Band, travelling across Europe or spending her winters with Bill in Tucson, Arizona were treasured times and memories for Helen. She spoke of them often. Helen was a truly kind and gentle lady and she always thought of others before herself. Even though Alzheimer's disease took away her ability to live on her own, she was a much loved resident at St. Joseph's Residence where she spent the last few years of her life. Her husband Bill, who also has declining health issues, lived with her at St. Joseph's for the last year and a half. Even though she did not always know Bill she wanted to be with him and loved to hold his hand. The family wishes to thank all the most wonderful staff at St. Joseph's residence. Their love, care and support to Helen over the last three years was most greatly appreciated. They made Helen feel like part of their family and Helen did love family. A celebration of Helen's life will take place at Glen Eden Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 29, 2016. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Helen's memory to the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba. A human life is a story told by God.' - Hans Christian Andersen Family and friends may sign a Book of Condolence at www.glenedenmemorial.ca Glen Eden Funeral Home & Cemetery 204-338-7111

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 23, 2016