Helen Letitia Croy (Ward)

Obituary

Passed on March 26, 2022

August 6, 1920 – March 26, 2022       It is with sadness in our hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Mom, Gramma and GeeGee at the age of 101. We are so very fortunate to have had her in our lives for so many years.

Mom was born in Toronto to James and Caroline Ward (Grotike). She was the youngest of three daughters. When she was 5 the family moved to the Grassmere area near Stonewall and the first of her three brothers was born when she was 6. Mom attended Grassmere School, Stonewall Collegiate and Normal School. Her first teaching job was at Rocklands School in 1938. She moved to Balmoral School in the early forties. In 1943 she joined the Wrens and was stationed in Halifax. After the war ended she returned to teaching in Balmoral. In 1946 she met the love of her life, Tom Croy. They were married in July and resided on the Croy dairy farm between Balmoral and Stonewall until 1985 when they moved to Stonewall. In 1959, after her children were in school, Mom returned to teaching at Balmoral. In 1962 she started teaching at the Manitoba School for the Deaf in Winnipeg where she taught until her retirement in 1979.

Mom liked to work in her garden, sew, knit, read, and bake. The CNIB reading program was a lifeline for her after she was unable to see well enough to read. She loved the scent of flowers, especially after her sight became poor. Mom and Dad enjoyed travelling and many family trips were made as we were growing up. Family get togethers were important to her and she instigated many family parties and reunions. Birthdays were always celebrated with a dinner and cake. Mom and Dad were lifetime members of the Royal Canadian Legion. Mom received her 70 year pin in 2015. She was also an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary. They were involved with the Legion for many years and after their move to Stonewall it became a major focus of their social life. It was there that they had many dear friends with whom they took numerous trips and enjoyed many happy times.

Mom was predeceased ten years ago by Tom, her husband of 65 years. She was the last of her generation in our extended family. Left to miss her and cherish her memory are her children Dan (Debbie), Colleen (Bruce) Croy Gibbons and Betty-Lou (Doug) Pickell; her grandchildren Deanna Hubert, Carrie and Dayna Croy, Adam (Mahdia) and Shannon Pickell; her great grandchildren Ryan and Kyla, Rick, Hassen and Shamsia. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and some good friends.

We would like to thank the nurses, doctors and healthcare aids at Gimli Hospital and Stonewall Hospital for their compassionate care given to Mom and to us the last four and a half weeks of her life. Thank-You to Dr. Pinniger for his medical care of Mom over the last many years.

There are no words to adequately express our gratitude to Michelle Loehmer, the Homecare Aids that provided care to Mom over the years and her friends and neighbours at Stonewood Place. Without the care, support, and friendship of all of you she would not have been able to live as independently as she had wished.

At Mom’s request there will be no formal service. Cremation has taken place and a family interment will be held at a later date. In memory of Mom donations can be made to CNIB 1080 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, R3G 3M3, SouthWest District Palliative Care, Box 1282, Stonewall, R0C 2Z0, or to a charity of one’s choice.

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