It is with great sadness that the family of Helen Thelma Hayes- MacLeod Breau age 85 of Amherst announce her passing on Friday, February 4, 2011 at the Cumberland Regional Health Care Centre in Upper Nappan.
Born in Springhill, she was a daughter of the late William "Doc" and Margaret (MacNeil) Hayes.
In her earlier years, Helen worked at Fisher's Clothing Store in Springhill.
After moving to Amherst, she worked at the Albion Confectionary for many years.
In later years, Helen did home care for Department of Social Services and wrote newspaper columns for Amherst Daily News, The Citizen and The Springhill Record.
She was a member of the Hospital Auxiliary in Amherst and a Chartered CWL member in both Amherst and Springhill. She also loved to sing and was a past choir member of St. John The Baptist Parish, Springhill as well as a former member of the Border Belle's, Amherst.
Helen was Past Secretary of the Ladies Auxiliary, Royal Canadian Legion Br. #10, Amherst.
She loved to cook, knit and do Lexicon Puzzles and in her younger years she enjoyed dancing and skating.
Helen had many friends whom she welcomed into her home with a cup of tea and one of her famous biscuits.
She loved all her family and greatly enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Helen was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Marilyn (Larry) Brander, NY, Mary Ann Megeney and Meredith MacLeod, both of Amherst and Philomene (Michael) Breau-O'Connor, Springhill; her special grandchildren Jason, Jennifer and Jesse Megeney and Jeptha Brander and great grandchildren Kelly, twins, Megan and Nicole.
Besides her parents, Helen was predeceased by her first husband Henry "Pom" MacLeod and her second husband Alfred "Bib" Breau as well as her daughter Neva Elizabeth MacLeod, two sisters Della Reeves and Margaret Swan, six brothers Jim, Jack, Raymond, Burl, Eddie and Harold.
Helen's remains are resting in Campbell's Funeral Home, 98 Church St., Amherst (667-9906) with visitation on Monday, February 7, 2011 from 7 to 9 p.m. with parish prayers at 8 p.m.
Funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 11 a.m. from St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Springhill, NS with Father David MacDonald officiating.
Interment will take place in the spring at the St. John the Baptist North Street Cemetery, Springhill.
Memorial donations in Helen's memory may be made to the St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, GOVRC Workshop, Springhill, St. Vincent de Paul Society or the charity of your choice.
On-line guest book and condolences may be sent to the family via: www.campbellsamherst.ca