PICTOU - Helen Laurel Holliday, 59, Pictou, passed away peacefully on September 2, 2009 in the Maritime Odd Fellows Home.
Born in Pictou, on June 20, 1950, she was a daughter of the late Milton and Helen (Chisholm) Veniot.
Laurel loved her family and community deeply. She was a tireless and proud advocate for the town of Pictou. She served as a town councillor, was on the Board of Directors of the deCoste Centre, was an involved member of the Stella Maris Parish, served on the hospital board, was a member of the Pictou School Board, was PTA President and a proud member of the Pictou West Progressive Conservative Association. Laurel was a well known canvasser and fundraiser for the United Way and other charitable organizations. She knew everyone from the years in which she worked with her father in the insurance business and through her community mindedness. Laurel had time for everyone and she reached out and touched the hearts and souls of so many. She was a humble, gentle person whose patience and grace endeared her to all. Her ability to serve and be helpful to others was endless. We are heartbroken by the untimely loss of our beautiful Laurel.
She will be sorely missed by her loving husband of 38 years, Lindsay; her beloved sons, Mark (Alison) and Ryan; brothers: Milton (Norma), Pictou; Robert (Carol), Dartmouth; Paul (Carolyn), Pictou; Eric (Terri), Pictou, Michael (Rhonda), Kamloops; sisters: Avis Ross, Pictou; Janice (Alan), Caribou Island; Kathy (Marcel) Muise, Tusket; Maureen (Walter) Yeadon, Brookside; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by niece, Sheri Kathleen Veniot.
We wish to extend special thanks to Dr. Gordon Young who provided Laurel with exceptional care throughout her illness and to the staff and volunteers of the Maritime Odd Fellows Home for their competence and compassionate service to Laurel and her family. We would also like to thank the VON for their home visitations.
Donations in Laurel’s memory may be made to the Maritime Odd Fellows Home, P.O. Box 850, Pictou, NS, B0K 1H0 or to the NS Division of the Alzheimer’s Society.
Family flowers only please. At Laurel’s request, there will be no visitation. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Stella Maris Church, Pictou, on Monday, September 7, at 11 a.m. with Rev. Peter MacDonald officiating. Reception to follow at the Stella Maris Parish Hall.
Arrangements are entrusted to McLaren Funeral Home, Pictou.