HELEN ANN (MCALPINE) ROACH
Born - Oct. 27, 1934, Died - Sept. 8, 2013
Helen passed away peacefully
in Kelowna General Hospital
as a result of a stroke. She lived determinedly with Parkinson’s disease for over 15 years. She
is survived and will be terribly missed by Bill, her loving
husband of 60 years, sons
Dan, Mike, Chris and Paul,
her angel granddaughter
Patricia, grandsons Dan (IV) and Anthony and loving,
caring daughters in law Roberta, Robyn and Colleen, and her brother John McAlpine.
Helen and Bill met and married while they were at the
University of Tulsa. In 1954 they moved to the “wilds”
of northern Alberta where Helen discovered there wasn’t
“a Safeway in every town”. In time they moved to Calgary where they settled for more than 40 years, after which
her home on Okanagan Lake in Kelowna with her
wonderful gardens where the family spent some 40
summers, became home.
Helen was strong of mind, kind of heart, a devoted
and tireless mother, student of history, a culinary and
horticultural master, lover of fine arts and quiet supporter
of charities.
She was predeceased by her mother, Bess Jones, her
father John McAlpine and her sister Bessie McAlpine.
As Helen wanted she will be cremated and there will be
a private family funeral mass at Immaculate Conception Church on September 12.
This lovely poem by Kendra Tyler expresses Helen’s wish:
' To Those I Love And Those Who Loved Me
When I am gone, release me, and let me go,
I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourselves to me with tears,
Be Happy that we had so many years.
I gave to you my Love, but you can only guess,
How much you gave to me in Happiness.
I thank you for the Love you have shown,
But now it's time I traveled on alone.
So grieve awhile for me, if you must.
Then let grief be comforted by Trust.
It's only for a short time that we must part,
So Bless the Memories with your Heart.
I won't be far away, but Life goes on,
So if you need me, Call and I will come.
Though you can't see me or touch me... I'll be near,
With all of my Love around you soft and clear
And when this way you must come,
I'll greet you with a smile and a 'Welcome Home.'
Should family and friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of Canada, 4211 Yonge Street, Suite 316, Toronto, ON M2P 2A9
or a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by
visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com,
250-860-7077.