RICHARD, HÉLÈNE "NELLIE"
March 12, 1922 – April 25, 2015
Hélène "Nellie" Richard, formerly of Miramichi, passed away at her residence in Fredericton Saturday, April 25, 2015 at the age of 93.
Hélène was predeceased by parents and her loving husband of 69 years Emile (2006), daughters Gerry (2010) and Susan (2011) and grandson Michael (1979).
She is survived by daughter Irene Skolrood (Wayne) of Delta BC and sons, Bernard (Julie) of Miramichi, Paul (Joanne) of Moncton and Pat (Hélène) of Fredericton; 13 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Born in Atholville, NB on March 12, 1922 to Charlotte and Patrick Bernard, Hélène was one of 12 children and her early childhood was shaped by the Great Depression years. Her parents were some of the first ‘settlers’ of St. Arthur, NB and her anecdotes of that time reminded everyone of the TV show ‘The Waltons’. In late 1936 she met her ‘Singing Cowboy’, Emile and they were married April 6, 1937. She told of moving ‘17 times in 17 years’ until settling in 1952 at 210 Robertson St. in Newcastle, where they lived for the next 52 years. Their travels with (and to visit family) were legendary, especially the 1969 trip…when man landed on the Moon and The Richards traveled across Canada in a VW station wagon…Mom, Dad, 3 kids and a dog.pulling a tent trailor.
‘Nellie’, ‘Mom’, Mommy’, ‘Nanny’, ‘Grammie’, ‘Ma Taunte Nellie’, ‘Mama Nellie’, Hélène acquired many names in her lifetime and wore many hats: Mother, aunt, grandmother, babysitter, gift giver extraordinaire, therapist and Miramichi’s first Master Chef to her family and neighbours. Many evenings of card playing and laughter filled the living room with friends like: Cec and Doris Bowes, Orly and Kay McEachern, and Lillian and Burton Dickson.
Nellie and Emile moved to Shediac in 2004 and Dad passed away in 2006. Mom moved to Fredericton in late 2010 where she continued to beat her son Pat at weekly games of 45’s until just a few weeks ago.
Hélène’s family will receive relatives and friends at the Northumberland Funeral Home on Friday, May 1, 2015 from 2 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm, and Saturday, May 2nd 9 to 10:15 am. They would also like you to help them celebrate her life at a Mass on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church at 11 am.
As expressions of sympathy donations to St. Mary’s Building fund or a charity of your choice would be appreciated.