Obituary of NANCY HELANDER

NANCY HELANDER (nee Annie Mcglaggan Mackenzie) 1922 – 2014 Nancy was born October 28, 1922 in Drumnadrochet, Scotland, just outside of Inverness, Scotland. She passed away peacefully at age 91 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Nancy was proud to have worked for the British Telephone System, in Inverness during WWII where she played an important communication function in the war effort. She married Roy Helander of Teulon, Manitoba and immigrated to Canada in 1952. After several years in Teulon, Manitoba she and Roy moved the family to Winnipeg. She was a devoted mother of 5 and grandmother of 4. Nancy was predeceased by her husband Roy Helander, daughter Sharon Ann Helander, sisters Margaret McMahon, Marie MacDonald, brother Jim Mackenzie and parents James T. and Mary C. Mackenzie of Scotland and Winnipeg. Nancy was the last surviving member of her generation of the Mackenzie clan. Nancy is survived by her children Keith and daughter in law, Debbie Helander of Winnipeg, grandchildren, Christopher, Andrew and Stephanie, son Glenn and daughter Darlene. Nancy was happy to be recently connected to Lily Webster of Winnipeg. Nancy is also survived by her son Brian Helander and his partner Dr. Donald Altman of Phoenix, AZ and Santa Fe, NM. Nancy was very grateful for the many years of loving care and attention from niece Vivian Ewanek and Dan Little of Stonewall and niece Francis Beckel (Jim Beckel) of Winnipeg. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews on both the Mackenzie and Helander side of her family. Nancy will be remembered for her fierce determination to overcome the adversity and challenges in her life, from WWII in her early years to health challenges in her later years. Nancy enjoyed 25 years of annual winter long vacation trips to Phoenix with her sister Margaret McMahon to the Phoenix home of Brian and Don. Many thanks to the staff of Parkview Place, especially the 11th floor staff, for all their kind attention and care during the last few years. As per Nancy’s wishes cremation has taken place and a family service will take place at a later date in Teulon Manitoba with interment to follow at the Norris Lake Cemetery.