Obituary of Helen Jean Godkin

With sadness the family announces Helen Jean Godkin slipped peacefully away from this life at 94 years of age.

She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her sons Robert (Shirley) and Paul (Sibylle), grandchildren Daryl and Jennifer (Ryan) and sister-in-law Jean Madder.  Helen was predeceased by her husband Alex, brother Avery, sister Florence, and her parents Hedley and Catherine Unger.

Helen was born in Carman, Manitoba on February 6, 1924 and shortly thereafter the family relocated to Dugald. In 1931 the family moved to a farm in the Stonewall district.  Like others of her generation she initially attended a one-room school and later Stonewall Collegiate, graduating in 1941.

She pursued a career in nursing, graduating from the Winnipeg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1946 and worked as a registered nurse in McMinnville Oregon, Morden, Manitoba and in Winnipeg at both the Shriners and Winnipeg General Hospitals.

Helen married Alex on June 29, 1950. After their marriage they resided in Morris where they raised their family. She worked part-time as a registered nurse at the Morris General Hospital and often accompanied the volunteer ambulance service when transporting patients to Winnipeg. In retirement she was a dedicated volunteer at the Red River Valley Lodge, assisting with outings and brightening the days for many residents.

Helen was very involved in her community. She was an active member of Morris United Church for sixty years serving on various committees including the Church Board. She was a lifetime member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Morris Legion, a long-time member of the Valley Agricultural Society and Swimming Pool Committee and a 4-H Club leader. In recognition of her community service she was the recipient of the Morris and District Chamber of Commerce 1980 Citizen of the Year award.

In 2014 she moved to Winnipeg to be closer to her family.

Thank you to the staff at Portsmouth Retirement Residence for enhancing her quality of life over the last four years. The family is also grateful for the kindness and support the staff at Deer Lodge Centre– 2 West provided Mom during her brief stay.

A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 1st at the Morris United Church, Morris, MB with interment to follow at the Morris Cemetery. Your thoughts and prayers are all the kindness the family requires.

If desired, donations may be made to Morris United Church Memorial Fund, Box 90, Morris, MB R0G 1K0.