It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved wife and mother Helen Eva Cromarty on Friday May 11 2012.
Helen is survived by Vic, her husband of 54 years; sons Colin of Prince Albert Saskatchewan; Victor of Victoria B.C. and her younger brother Jim Laird of Edmonton Alberta.
Helen is predeceased by her father and mother Jim and Annie Laird of Fruitvale B.C.
Helen was born in St. Vital Manitoba on January 14 1937. Her family moved to Fruitvale B.C. in the mid-1950s. Helen later attended high school in Trail and went on to graduate from the Trail Business College. She worked for several years at the Trail Colour Centre and other locations in the Trail area.
On March 10th 1958 she married Victor Leroy Cromarty of Fruitvale B.C. After their wedding they moved to Barrie Ontario where Vic was stationed with the Canadian Forces’ Provost Corps. Over the next 27 years Helen endured many moves as a military wife to CFB Borden, CFB Ottawa, Carleton Place, CFB Edmonton, SHAPE Belgium, CFB Ottawa again and finally CFB Calgary. During these times she shewas often the lone parent, raising her two sons by herself while her husband was away with the Canadian Forces, the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces or other assignments. Helen was a very special person and held her family together under some very trying circumstances.
Upon Vic’s retirement in 1978 Helen and family moved to Maple Ridge B.C., eventually settling in Kamloops B.C. in 1988.
At Helen’s request there will not be a formal service. The burial of her ashes will take place in Fruitvale at a later date. We wish to thank the wonderful people who cared for her at the Royal Inland Hospital ICU in Kamloops. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Helen’s name to the Arthritis Society of Canada.