Helen Louise MacKay

Helen Louise MacKay passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024 at the Russell Personal Care Home in Russell, Manitoba.

Helen was born September 14, 1935, in the R.M. of Birtle, Manitoba. She was the only child of Harold & Dorothy (nee Hodgson) Hamilton. She grew up in the town of Foxwarren, Manitoba and graduated from grade 12. After graduation, she got a job as a bank cashier working at the Royal Bank in Birtle, Manitoba. She room and boarded there for 2 years until meeting and marrying her husband Donald MacKay. They were married February 26, 1955, at the Anglican Church in Foxwarren, Manitoba. Immediately after she became a full time home maker and farmer along side her husband as they farmed with his parents; eventually taking over the family farm in the Lid Cliff District of Binscarth, Manitoba.

They welcomed two children; a daughter Marjorie and a few years later a son, Glen. They raised their family on the farm and stayed until 1984, after building their new home in town, that they retired to the Village of Binscarth.

Helen was very involved on and off the farm. She became the main grain hauler once she got her drivers license. She raised chickens and sold eggs for her personal pocket cash, as well as taught many adult sewing classes in the area. She taught 4-H for 19 years and was an active member in the Lid Cliff community. She enjoyed many fishing and camping trips with her husband; some of them all the way to Alaska. If you didn’t see her outside in her vegetable garden, or watering all her flowers and plants, she was most definitely inside quilting and sewing which had won her many ribbons and awards. While living in town she also kept busy being hooked up as the local Fire Phone; collecting all the local news for the Binscarth news column of the Russell Banner; assisting more with the Anglican Church and its rummage sales and bingo’s. Being involved in Ducks Unlimited events was also part of her busy schedule. She joined the Binscarth Lions Club in her sevenities, after retiring from other volunteer work, just to keep active in her community.

No matter where home was or what time, Helen always had coffee on and a cookie or slice of pie for the many visitors who popped in just to chat, play a game of cards or a sewing emergency.

It was in December 2019 after breaking her hip along with her deteriorating memory that she could no longer be at home. She moved into the Shoal Lake Health Centre for a year and then got a permanent placement in the Russell Care Home until her passing. Every visitor she had left her in good spirits and she took such care in saving all of her cards and letters sent to her from all her family and friends.

Helen was predeceased by her husband Donald MacKay, son Glen MacKay, daughter Marjorie Soltys, son-in-law Michael Soltys and grandson Sheldon Soltys.

Surviving to cherish and remember many fond memories are grandchildren Shawna Eckert (Todd) of Russell, Manitoba; Steven Soltys (Sacha) of Grande Prairie, Alberta; Sheila Tremblay of Russell, Manitoba; Great grandchildren Keira and Natassia Eckert, Jaxxon and Justice Tremblay; Sophia and Sam Soltys; along with nieces & nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.