Mary Helen Ellingson

Obituary for Mary Helen Ellingson – nee Hall

1928 - 2024

On September 6th, 2024, Mary Helen Ellingson of Swan River, MB passed away at the age of 95 years and 9 months at Grandview Personal Care Home.

She was predeceased by her parents, her husbands Jim (Sklepowich) and Allan (Ellingson), her brothers Don (Laura) Hall and Alec (Yvonne) Hall, her sisters Grace (Reuben) Rollins, Joan (George) Myketa, Irene (Gordon) Mitchell, and niece Debbie and nephew Doug.

Left to mourn her are her sons Tony and Robert, her sisters Margaret Rose (Charlie) Broadhead, Agnes Giesbrecht, Florence (James) Ronald and Sharon (Norm) Giesbrecht and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and their families.

Born December 1st, 1928, at Ethelbert General Hospital to James Cecil and Dorothea – nee Stewart - Hall of Minitonas. Helen was the eldest of 11 children. She was raised on the family farm. After graduating high school, Helen’s first job was the teacher of a one room schoolhouse in Alpine, south of Benito. After various jobs of picking fruit in BC, working as a hospital switchboard operator, and in an accounting department at an insurance company she met and married Jim March 21st, 1955, while working at the Canadian Wheat Board in Winnipeg. They then had two sons – Tony and Robert.

In 1959 she then went to nursing school in Winnipeg and after graduating started work at the Swan Valley Hospital for over 30 years as a Licenced Practical Nurse. Her favorite time was spent in the pediatrics ward and after retirement she babysat kids in her home which Helen enjoyed immensely. After reconnecting, she was married to Allan Ellingson on January 26th, 1991.

Helen loved crafts and was always busy knitting or doing award-winning needlepoint and cross-stitch at the Swan River Northwest Round Up and Exhibition. She also loved puzzles, crosswords and was a fierce opponent in Scrabble and Quiddler.

Helen loved to travel the world with friends and meet new people. She loved to learn new things and try new foods. She was always very active in her community (Museum Society, Manitoba Genealogical Society – Swan Valley Branch, Swan Valley Folk Fest, Royal Canadian Legion) and participated in the Manitoba 55+ games in a variety of sports and wins. At one time she was the head of Manitoba Order of Nurses Association and was even found striking in bitterly cold weather for what she believed in.

When she moved into Heritage Manor she loved to organize birthday parties, sit and be fit sessions and loved to bring in groups to sing. She hosted holiday meals and enjoyed keeping the book and puzzle libraries up to date.

Helen was always very pleased to shock people when they learned her age. She wasn’t going to let her age dictate what she could do. Her smile and laughter and the care she showed for others will be greatly missed.

 If friends so desire, memorial donations in memory of Helen may be made to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation 675 McDermot Ave RM ON1160 Winnipeg, MB R3E 9Z9.