DYKEMAN, HELEN - Helen F. Dykeman passed away peacefully, November 13, 2012, with her three children at her side at the Prince County Hospital, Summerside, PE. Born December 01, 1917, Saint John, NB, Helen was the only child of the late William G. and Ethel M. (Fales) Estabrook. Lovingly referred to as “Queen Mom” she will be greatly missed by her children, Anne E. (Peter) Mellish, Summerside, PE; Susan C. (John) Morley, Jeddore, NS; Robert S. Dykeman, Toronto, ON; grandchildren, Peter (Carolyn) Mellish, Summerside, PE; Stephen (Jane) Mellish, Stratford, PE; Sam (Sandra) Mahaney, Nashua, NH; Jason (Kim) Mahaney, Halifax, NS; Colin Mahaney, Waverley, NS; Margaret Mahaney, Calgary, AB. Adored by her great-grandchildren, Amanda, Ben, Keara, Lauren and Charles. She is also survived by her devoted cousin Norma Fales of Saint John, NB and her cat Lilly. Helen was predeceased by her first husband, Gerald T. Emerson, Saint John NB, October 1959 and second husband, Hazen T. Dykeman, Saint John NB, January 1988. A strong and independent lady she loved her family and many close friends. A lifelong resident of the Saint John and Rothesay area. At 88, wanting to be closer to family, she relocated to Summerside, PE, where she lived on Hillside Drive and then at Parkhill Place. Helen attended Netherwood School for girls in Rothesay, NB, graduating in 1936. After graduation she travelled extensively with her mother until she married Gerry and settled on Germain Street. Through the years Helen developed a keen interest in fine antiques, attending several auctions, adding to her vast collection of furniture, glass and rugs. Upon marrying Hazen, they designed her dream home, which was located in Rothesay overlooking the Kennebecasis River. Always the hostess, Helen was known for her detail to a fine dinner table and a well prepared meal. Throughout her amazing life, Helen volunteered with the Red Cross during WW II and later with the I.O.D.E., St Paul’s ACW and was a member of the Union Club and Riverside Golf Club. From early childhood Helen had a keen sense of adventure and travel, travelling with her parents to Britain and Europe in 1934 aboard the “Empress of Britain”. After her father’s passing she would continue to travel with her mother extensively to the United States visiting family and friends. In later years she would travel with Hazen or her children abroad to Asia, Europe, Britain and South America. Two essential items for each trip were a good book and her knitting, when her eyesight started to fail she had to give up the knitting but was able to continue to read with audio books.
At Helen’s request there will be no visitation. Donations to the CNIB, PCH Foundation or a Charity of your Choice would be appreciated. A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor, Saturday November 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St Mary’s Anglican Church, 74 Summer Street, Summerside, PE, followed by a reception in the Social Hall. Interment will take place in the family plot at a later date in Fernhill Cemetery, Saint John, NB. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.moase.ca.