Obituary of Helen Adolfira Downes

DOWNES, HELEN ADOLFIRA: Peacefully in her sleep at Upper Canada Lodge, Niagara-on-the-Lake on Tuesday, February 21, 2017, in her 98th year. Born in Fort William in 1919 Helen’s family moved to the Grassie area and she lived her early years happily on the family farm where she subsequently met her beloved husband Ernest who predeceased her in 1986. Helen & Ernie lived for many years in the home that they built on Rennie St. in Hamilton, ON. She is survived by her four children Ernest (Rochelle), Vicky, Karen (Gordon), and Kenneth (Catharine); her grandchildren Kevin, Kristen, Corey, Kimberley, Cayley, Leathan, Kate, and Ian; and her great grandchildren Blake, Bronwyn, Sierra, Kallum and Declan. Dearly loved and will be missed by her sister Lucy Grace Szalata. Also predeceased by her brothers Stanley, Ted, Bill and Henry, her sisters Stella and Julia, and parents Nikolas Dereniowski and Victoria Wolenski. Thank you to the staff of Upper Canada Lodge for their amazing care, love and support of our mother during her time there. Helen's wish was that she would 'close her eyes and not wake up in the morning' and that's exactly what happened – she passed peacefully. Visitation at Merritt Funeral Home, 287 Station Street, Smithville on Friday, February 24 beginning at 11 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 12 Noon. Private burial. No flowers please. Memorial donations to the Alzheimer's Society in her name would be welcome and can be made through the funeral home.