In loving memory of Hellan Lamarche, age 83 years, who passed away peacefully in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Friday January 5, 2018.
Hellan leaves to mourn her passing her sons Brad Lamarche (Brenda) of Calgary, Derrick (Saniatha) Lamarche of Kenora, daughter Annette Fishwick (Stephen) of Dryden, grandchildren Crystal Lamarche (Cochrane), Joel and Tyler Lamarche (Calgary), Nicole (Matt) Huntingford of Victoria, Stevie Fishwick of Thunder Bay, Destiny Fishwick of Peterborough, and Claire Lamarche of Kenora, great grandchildren, Aubrey, Houston, & Lucy, siblings Morris Boyd of Winnipeg, Archie Boyd of Sudbury, Shirley Fortin of Vancouver, and Dennis Boyd of Stony Plain, AB. Hellan was predeceased by her parents Henry and Hazel Boyd, husband Yvon (2002), siblings Joseph, Reggie, Grant, Mervin, and Beatrice.
Hellan Lamarche was born September 16, 1934 in the Dryden Hospital to parents: Henry & Hazel (McNulty) Boyd. Hellan’s early childhood was spent on the homestead on Glengoland Road Oxdrift, attending a one room classroom at the Oxdrift School house. Hellan often reminisced about having to carry her shoes when walking the couple miles to school as they only got one new pair per year. After losing their home in two separate house fires, the family relocated to North Dryden.
As soon as Hellan was of eligible age, Hellan went to work with her sister Beatrice at the St. Regis Bag Factory, then with the Dryden Paper Company in the lab testing pulp & paper. She also worked at the Tree Nursery for extra money during vacation periods and weekends, as well as a part-time clerk at the Parkdale Corner Store for the Miller family.
Hellan was married to Yvon Lamarche in 1956, and had four children: Brad, Tammy (Deceased), Derrick, and Annette (Lamarche) Fishwick. The family home was on Dingwall Parkway and she had purchased a cottage on the North Shore of Thunder Lake. Hellan loved music, dancing, bowling and had a wide circle of friends. Hellan cherished family and would often travel to Winnipeg, Thunder Bay and Chicago to visit her aunts and cousins.
In 1972, Hellan was involved in a tragic snowmobile accident where her back injuries required multiple surgeries in order to regain her mobility, as well as, surgeries on her wrist. This accident dramatically changed and shaped the rest of her life, where she endured a lifetime of chronic pain and an inability to work. However, she did eventually find some joy and peace as her children grew and married granting her seven grandchildren which she made the focus of her life, offering assistance and support to their early development and later to become a close mentor and cheerleader. It should be noted that Hellan played a significant role in the lives of many children within the Boyd family often with the extended care of her brother Grant’s children; Sheila, Linda, Eddy, then her brother Mervin’s son Robbie. As well, Hellan became a significant part of her daughter Annette’s (Stephen) family offering child care and support, a role she dearly loved and cherished.
Hellan left an indelible and lasting impression on all the children she cared for and was known as a caring, compassionate, and understanding champion of their development. Hellan would make several trips out west to spend time with her eldest son, Brad’s family, enjoyed annual gatherings in Fairmont BC, and got to see Hawaii (a long-time dream).
In her latter years, Hellan cared for her sister Bea to whom she was always very close. Soon after Bea’s passing, Hellan moved in with her son Derrick and wife Saniatha, who cared for her as her health diminished.
A Memorial Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 13th at 11:00 a.m. in the Moffat Chapel of the Stevens Funeral Homes. Interment of ashes will take place at a later date.
If friends desire donations may be made to the CT Scan Fund online or through the Stevens Funeral Homes P.O. Box 412, Dryden ON P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca.
