November 19, 1916 - December 21, 2010 - A life well lived - A much loved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to many, Helen passed away peacefully in Qualicum Beach, B.C. in the company of family in her 95th year of a life well lived. Daughter of Arthur Cole McCracken (1887-1952) and Margaret Loretta Brawn (1888-1982), born 4th of 11 siblings in Fredericton Junction N.B., Helen McCracken grew up among an extended family of renowned raconteurs with fascinating memories of a small town '20s and depression era life, the rigours of nursing school, while on leave assisting Dr. McGrand on his rounds by train, horse and sleigh then graduating in 1938 from Chipman Memorial Hospital, St. Stephen N.B. as a registered nurse. While nursing in Ste-Agathe-des-Monts QC she became an accomplished skier, award winning canoeist, long distance cyclist and gallivanter. Helen volunteered for service in the Royal Canadian Navy, serving as Lieutenant and nursing sister in Halifax where she met many sailors and married the lucky one in 1944, Lt. Cdr. (RCNVR) D. Edgar Lavalley of Ottawa. Lifelong friendships were formed in Halifax where she also saw 3 brothers embark for action in Europe in the Army and Air Force and welcomed them on their return in 1945. Civilian life resumed with the full time adventure of raising a family of three children in Noranda, Montréal and Ottawa. A golfer, accomplished curler, homemaker and mother, she found time to help build and run the family cottage on Lake Opinicon (Elgin ON) that became a centre for entertainment, parties, near scrapes and adventures with a wide range of local and international multi generational characters, family members, in-laws, out-laws and a crew of Navy vets. A lifetime of family visits exchanged with those in NB and Maine kept us all connected with and a fondness for "Down East". Retirement included travels to the U.S., Europe, Great Britain & Ireland chasing golf balls, historic sites and family roots. With the passing of husband Ed in 2006, Helen relocated in 2008 to Qualicum Beach where she made new friends and stayed in touch with longstanding ones and relatives who visited often. Alzheimer's took its toll in the last couple of years eased with the caring of friends and staff at Qualicum Manor; on balance Helen enjoyed a life well lived. Those celebrating her life include children David (Joanne), Qualicum Beach BC, Jim, Chilliwack BC, Sue (John Gamble), Elgin ON, grandson Scott (Brenda), Calgary; sisters Joey Wright, L'Etang NB, Ethel McCracken, Revelstoke BC; brother Jimmy (Sadie), McAdam NB; nephew Dave McCracken (Jane); many nephews, nieces and close friends from the Clairmonte, Davis, Froats, Monroe, Paddon, Skinner & Swallow families.
A celebration of her life will be held in Ottawa and Fredericton Junction in 2011 with interment for this fondly remembered multidimensional lady in the National Military Cemetery and Gladstone Cemetery. Qualicum Beach Funeral Centre Ltd. (250) 594-0305 qbfuneralcentre@shaw.ca