HELEN SARAH DESAULNIERS

Helen was born Feb. 20, 1934 in Sleeman, Ont., the daughter of Nathan and Amy Wood.
Helen will be dearly missed by her husband, Gus, of Dryden, Ont.; five sons, Daniel (Teresa), David (Yvonne), Dennis (Kim), Albert (Rolande), and Richard (Sandra), all of Dryden, Ont.; two daughters, Maureen Wall (Randy) of Dryden, Ont. and Carol Hughes (Glen) of Thunder Bay, Ont.; foster son, Ron Frennette of Dryden, Ont.; and foster daughter, Janice Cullens (Brian) of Brandon, Man.
Also surviving are 20 grandchildren, many foster grandchildren, as well as 35 foster children over the years; two sisters, Edith Richert of Fort Frances, Ont. and Alice Shurvell of Brandon, Man.; and one brother, Arthur Wood (Beatrice) of Fort Frances, Ont.
Helen was predeceased by her father, Nathan Wood in 1988; mother, Amy Wood in 2003; brother, Robert Wood (Theresa); three grandsons, Curtis, Joshua, and Joseph Desaulniers; and two infant sisters.
Helen enjoyed her family, and loved to cook and have many family gatherings. The more, the merrier was her saying.
She also loved sewing, making quilts, and decorating cakes for weddings and birthdays.
When the children were younger, she was active in Girl Guides and Brownie,s and was a Girl Guide leader. She also was a member of the Catholic Women’s League and the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, as well as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #63.
Besides being a wife and mother, she worked as a supervisor for housekeeping at the Dryden Best Western for many years.
Helen loved fishing, hunting, and gardening, and also birds and nature.
Visitation was held Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 from 4-8 p.m., with prayers at 6 p.m., at the Dryden Community Funeral Home.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009 at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, with Fr. Al Campeau officiating.
Private family burial.