Helen Alexandrine Anderson
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Hélène (Helen) Alexandrine Tanter Anderson of Val Marie, SK. on November 25, at the age of 93, at the Prairie View Health Centre in Mankota, SK. She had lived an independent life until the last six months of her life, when she moved to the care home. Helen was born in Milly (McCord), SK. on May 24, 1921, dear daughter of Eugène and Sophie (née Danzé) Tanter, recent immigrants from Douarnenez, Brittany, France. She and her older sister, Marie, began their schooling at Varsity School in Milly, SK. She would often reminisce how they would travel to school at a tender age by horse and buggy in the warm months and by cutter in the cold winter months. Later, when their parents moved to Gergovia, the girls attended Notre Dame d'Auvergne Convent boarding school in Ponteix, SK. Helen completed her high school education in Val Marie. On November 10, 1941, she married Gustav Anderson in Val Marie. Soon after, they took possession of the house which served as her home for over seventy years. Her husband, Gus, passed away February 21, 1989, two years short of their 50th wedding anniversary. They raised three children, George, Raymond and Helen. Helen was a devoted wife who worked hard to support her husband in his farming endeavours and a caring mother whose first priority was always her family. She devoted her time and energy to providing a warm, loving home to her children and grandchildren. She was a meticulous homemaker, a wonderful cook, a loving mother and a generous, giving person. She had a quiet, unassuming nature. Her hobbies included her flower garden which she tended with care. She also loved to crochet and knit and spent many hours knitting sweaters for her children and grandchildren. She always enjoyed a good game of Canasta at the Senior Centre. She had a love of animals and welcomed many pets into her home over the years. Throughout her life, she had a flair for fashion and always enjoyed shopping for new outfits. She loved to set a beautiful table for the festive family gatherings. Christmas and New Year's Eve were always special occasions at the Anderson household. She had an eye for detail and loved decorating for these special occasions. French-Canadian tourtière, Norwegian rosettes and Christmas baking were always among many of her special treats. One of the highlights of Helen's life was to go to France to visit her parents' birthplace in Douarnenez, Brittany. It was there that she met her aunts, uncles and cousins for the first time. She was proud of her French/Breton heritage. On a few occasions, they enjoyed escaping the cold Saskatchewan winters on trips to California and Hawaii. For the last 25 years, Saskatoon was her winter home. She loved city life and the company of her children, but she always looked forward to returning to Val Marie in the spring. Helen is survived by her three children: George (Maureen), Val Marie, SK, Raymond, Saskatoon, SK and Helen (Eugene), Saskatoon, SK, and by her grandchildren: Bob (Penny) and their children Delaney and Brady, Mississauga, ON; Darren (Ronaye) and their children Tyler, Magdellena and Grayce, Cranbrook, B.C; Garrett (Becky) and their daughter, Mira, Coaldale, AB, and Steven, Calgary, AB. Also surviving are her niece, Marie (John) Guthrie, Windsor, ON and nephew, Leonard (Carol) Fyfe and their children, Matthew and Megan, Frontier, SK. Also surviving are her sisters-in-law, Mabel Stokoe and Irene Liddell, Armstrong, BC; brother-in-law, Robert Anderson (Mary), Swift Current, and many nieces and nephews on the Anderson side of the family. She was predeceased by her parents, Eugène and Sophie Tanter; husband, Gustav Anderson; sister and brother-in-law, Marie and JB Fyfe; great-nephew, JJ Guthrie. On her husband's side of the family, she was predeceased by her parents-in-law, George and Camilla (née Arneson) Anderson; in-laws, Esther; Gertrude and Leo Hoffarth; Florence and Fred Leland; May and Bob Fuhrer; Agnes and Ed Davis; Leonard and Ruth Anderson; Don Stokoe and Gil Liddell. The family wishes to thank all of those who cared for Mom during her time at the Prairie View Health Centre in Mankota. Their compassion and caring were very much appreciated. A memorial mass celebrating Helen's life will be held in the spring at the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Val Marie, SK. The date will be announced. Arrangements have been entrusted to Lemieux's Funeral Home in Ponteix. Eternal rest grant unto Helen, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she sleep in heavenly peace. For further information please call 306-625-3925 or visit our website at www.lemieuxfuneralhome.com and express your sympathy to the family in our book of condolence.