Helen Taylor
Died: July 29, 2008 | Place: London, Ontario
Obituary
TAYLOR –
Helen Francis Lillian (King) Taylor passed away on Tuesday July 29, 2008 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in London, Ontario with her family surrounding her. She was born in St. John’s, Newfoundland to the late John King (1959) and Cybella (Dowden) (1951), and grew up on the family farm “Klondyke” on Torbay Road. Helen Taylor (Lady Helen as she was affectionately known) was a remarkable woman with a great capacity for compassion, understanding and caring. She was a great listener and in true Newfoundland tradition, “the kettle was always on for a cup of tea.” Many found a sympathetic ear to listen and a kind word to encourage. John 13:35 says, “If you have love for one another, then all will know that you are my disciples.” She had a heart overflowing with Christian love for all. No one was a stranger and in her home friends and family found a place of rest and refuge. She was the devoted wife of the late Ernest Taylor (St. John’s)(1982). Beloved mother of Donna Arroyas and her husband Alain. Proud grandmother and much loved “Grans” of Antonio Arroyas (Andrea Woon-Fat) and Nicole Arroyas (finacee Carmine Bernardo). For them she left her beloved Newfoundland and moved to Ontario in 1987. She is predeceased by her dear friends and “adopted sons”, Alexander Penney (2007) and Owen Crotty (July 18, 2008). Sister of the late Christabel Byrne (1980), Gertrude Littlejohn (1986), and Robert T. King (1974). Beloved sister-in-law of Dorothy Vaters King of St. John’s. Much loved aunt of the late Thomas Byrne (Judy) of St. John’s, Cynthia Steeman (Neil) of Florida, the late Fred Littlejohn (2002), Ruth Collins (William), Bella Gollop (George) all of St. John’s, Hazel Power (James) of Torbay, the late Reverend Robert Vaters King Jr. (2001) (Denise) of Cobourg, Keith King of St. John’s. Helen will be missed by many friends and extended family, especially her best friend of 80 years, Audrey Holwell of Winchester, Mass. The families of Jean and Danielle Arroyas, Etienne and Christiane Delage, Philippe and Lisa Arroyas, Fausto and Nanette Boniferro, Sandra Thomson, Dom and Audrey Howse, Donna Hunt, Clodagh Burke, Catherine Flood and the staff of Archie’s Seafood Restaurants and Auberge du Petit Prince. The family will receive friends at the A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Thursday July 31, 2008 from 7-9 pm. The funeral service to celebrate the life of Helen Taylor will be conducted in the chapel on Friday August 1, 2008 at 11:00 am. Interment in Woodland Cemetery, London. Special thanks to Dr. Ann Spence, Dr. Anne Bodkin and Dr. Cathy Peckham and their staff for their care of Helen since she moved to London. Many thanks to the Nurses of Saint Elizabeth and the staff of CCAC who made it possible for Helen to pass her final days at home. Thank you to Father Fred Howard-Smith for your care and ministration to Helen and the family. As an expression of sympathy donations to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 442 Adelaide Street, North, London, ON N6B 3H8 or the Saint Elizabeth Health Care, 72/73- 1092 Dearness Drive, London, ON N6E 1N9 would be appreciated. Online condolences at www.amgfh.com
“A smile for all, a heart of gold, one of the best this world did hold.”
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Donna and family,
We just heard of your mother’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Your mother was a wonderful lady who was always so very kind and helpful. She demonstrated this on many occasions over the years to my own mother. She was a true friend who welcomed mom into her home for many visits. Each one became a special event and mom always returned to Newfoundland with stories of the good times she had and the kindness she received.
We will always remember your mother’s warm smile and caring heart.
While the loss of a mother/grandmother is great; I’m sure you will find comfort in the love and memories you shared for so many years.
Love,
Terry and Barb
We love you Aunt Helen and always will. Our sympathies to the family.
Your Niece and Nephew
Cynthia and Neil
Donna and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are & have been with you during this time. Your Mother lived a beautiful life to the fullest. Though we haven’t seen her since she moved away, we were always updated on her every activity by Hazel, who always spoke of her in a loving, motherly way. We are sure she will be deeply missed but also know she will be with you every minute of every day.
God bless you all and what a comforting experience having her, as I have mine, for all those years! What a blessing!
Genie and Cyril Power
We are sorry to hear of Mrs. Taylors passing. I never forgot the day I met her…in Newfieland…come in my dear and sit down won’t you… Fact is god never made a nicer mom. She always made you smile and made you feel happy…even if your day wasn’t going so well. A good cup of tea and some cookies or biscuits would make your day…and if you ever had the pleasure of feasting on Mrs. Taylors corn beef and cabbage…well it doesn’t get any better than that. I will miss her greatly…but words cannot express how priviledged I have been to have known her through the years. She is in a better place…waiting for us to join her for tea, biscuits and if she really, really likes you…corn beef and cabbage. I will truely miss her.
Donna,
Your mother was a true friend to my mother, Dorothy (Rowe) Gaulton.
After Helen moved to Ontario they kept in touch by correspondence. My mother loved to receive her letters in which she spoke fondly of her family, especially her grandchildren.
I met your mother several times and remember her as a warm and gracious lady.
My husband, Bob, and I keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers as you celebrate a life well lived.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Chafe
To Donna & Family, our deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. I can still remember, as a child going in to Mt. Cashel Rd. for a visit, your Mom was always smiling & happy to see us. I know you will miss her greatly.
Our thoughts are with you. Jennifer, Robert & David Carlson
Toutes nos sinceres et profondes condoleances pour Donna, Alain et la famille.
Mrs Taylor sera toujours pour nous un exemple tant pour son humour, sa bonne humeur et surtout sa grande generosite.Nous l’avons aime des que nous l’avons rencontree et l’aimerons toujours!
Reposez vous bien tres chere Mrs Taylor!
Donna & Family,
Just read of your mother’s passing.Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
I know you will miss her so much.
Ron&Judy(McGrath)Kinnie
That smile got you every time! She was a lovely lady,who had a generous heart. How blessed we all were to have met Mrs Taylor ‘Donna’s Mom’. Oh that we would all be so welcoming and loving!!
Our love and prayers go out to all the family and friends who will miss this lovely person. She is gracing heaven’s halls for sure.
Donna and Family!
I am so saddened to hear of the passing of Helen and send to you my heart full condolence. Helen will forever be carried in my mind as one of my favourite and bright people who have some way been a part of my life. I never knew Helen had been nick named “Lady Helen”. How appropriate!
Much Love and appreciation for Helen and her family,
Deborah
So Sorry to hear about your Mother’s passing. She was such a beautiful person and we enjoyed the times we spent with her in London and of course as a neighbour some years back in Newfoundland. Our thoughts are with you all.
Donna,
I was sad to hear of your mothers passing. I had some good times at your house on Mt. Cashel. Your mother treated me with the utmost kindness which I will never forget. I hope you are doing well and in good health (we are all getting older. Send me an email sometime when you get a chance ([email protected]).
Your best friend from years ago.
Alice
We were saddened to hear about the passing of your dear friend and Mother. It has been quite a few years since we last saw her but we still have the memories of a kind and gentle lady who lived a few houses down on Mt. Cashel Road in St. John’s Newfoundland. She lived a long productive life and that is worth celebrating for sure. Thinking about you and your family. Take care.
Dear Donna and AlainI have many happy memories of days gone by and the visits to your home on Mount Cashel Road. There was always a warm welcome and delightful, uplifting conversation. It was only a few days ago that we were reminiscing with the House’s about those happy days. While we share in your loss, we have the assurance that she is at peace with our Heavenly Father.God bless,Bertha and George Powell
My dear Donna & Alain,
I have just returned as of last evening late from a little bit of R & R in the Muskokas and found notice of the obituary of your dear mother in my desk. I deeply regret my inability to visit Millard George and/or to say something to either of you personally. However, I trust that this will suffice, in that you have my deepest condolence relative to this sad experience.
In reading the newspaper column I was deeply impressed with the positive approach that your dear mother took to life and the quote of John 13:35. Of course, nothing could be more of the truth than all of this and it would certainly seem that your Mom was one of the Lord’s “disciples”.
I trust that this brief but sincere acknowledgment of your mother’s passing will let you know the sentiment of our hearts here, both organizationally and personally. I trust that His sustaining grace will be yours and Alain’s and that His presence will mean much to both of you as well as to the family.
It is wonderful to think, Donna and Alain, that for every believer “we have a magnificent future”. I trust that the Lord will continue to bless and sustain you in these crisis days.
Donna and Family:
Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother. We will never forget our friendly neighbors, Helen and Uncle Ern, on Mount Cashel Road. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Harry Sr.,Harry Jr., Eugene, Elaine and Michael Stapleton and families.
Mrs. Taylor was a very special lady. She will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Dear Donna,
I was at the wake of Mrs.Isabel Lawlor of Torbay Road at Cauls funeral home here today and learned of the passing of your dear mother.
When my family live first on Mount Cashel Road and then Torbay Road I remember being at your home and the kindness of the Taylor family to all the kids on the block.Your mom and dad were wonderful people who contributed in so many ways to our small neighbourhood on the outskirts of the city.
Your mother was extremly kind and I can picture your dad in the front yard where he would talk to us so often.Your yellow colored home will always be in my memories and the kindness of the Taylor family who lived there.
My prayers are with you and your family at this very sad time and I feel certain your mother is enjoying all the gifts in heaven from a life so well lived.
God bless you and yours.
Joseph McGrath
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