HELEN DOROTHY SINCLAIR

Helen Dorothy Sinclair, of Rainycrest Long-Term Care, 550 Osborne St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away peacefully, with her loving children by her side, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
Helen was born April 20, 1923 in Fort Frances at the “mill” adjacent to Fort Frances to the late George and Caroline Flett. As a young girl, she attended residential school at Couchiching First Nation.
On Sept. 11, 1939, Helen was united in marriage to Thomas Arthur Sinclair. In the years following, they raised their nine children.
Helen was a devoted nurse and worked many years at La Verendrye General Hospital. She worked in different departments at the hospital and was well-liked by her co-workers.
Helen also was a wonderful, caring mother and grandmother, and always was fun to be around. She enjoyed her home life, gardening, preparing meals, looking after her family, and spending time with her family, friends, and neighbours.
She will be very much missed by all whose hearts she touched.
She was predeceased by her husband, Thomas Sinclair, in 1985; daughter, Noella Sinclair; sisters, Thelma Blummer and Violet Anderson; brothers, Buddy and George Flett; son-in-law, Bruce Lyons; daughter-in-law, Maida Sinclair; and granddaughter, Lori Gaune.
Helen is survived by her children, Delores and husband, Terry Martyn, of Thunder Bay, Ont., Bill Sinclair and wife, Mary Ellen, of Fort Frances, Ont., Roselda and husband, Jim Hermer, of Smiths Falls, Ont., Donna Lyons, Arthur Sinclair, and Tom Sinclair and partner, Delores Cyrette, all of Thunder Bay, Ont., John Sinclair and special friend, Sandra Yerxa, of Fort Frances, Ont., and Carolyn and partner, Olav Backen, of Thunder Bay, Ont.; and special friend, Don McKenzie of Fort Frances, Ont.
Also surviving are numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Barbara Kelly of Manitoba; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service to celebrate Helen’s life will be held Monday, Jan. 25, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Green Funeral Home in Fort Frances, with Fr. Jose Marattil officiating.
Interment will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery in Fort Frances at a later date.
The honourary pallbearers will be Michael Sinclair, Craig McQuaker, Charles Catchpole, Hector Gaune, Joey Sinclair, and Tom Sinclair.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, 229 Camelot St., Thunder Bay, Ont., P7A 4B2 or to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, P.O. Box 807, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3N1, or c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com