Obituary of Helen Marie Weir

Helen Marie Neale was born on July 31, 1925 on the family farm near Cater, Sask. She was the first born child to Alfred and Josina Neale, and had a younger brother, George. Helen went to school in Cater but later finished her schooling in North Battleford. Helen attended Normal School in Saskatoon and obtained her certificate for teaching. Helen started teaching school in the Green Mantle District in 1946. She met Oscar Reed and they were married on Aug 7, 1947. In 1947 they also moved to B.C. where Oscar worked at the mill and Helen taught school near Kamloops at the Burnt Lake School. In 1948, Helen & Oscar happily returned to Big River where they purchased a farm north of Big River. In 1948 they decided to start a family and in November of that year their first son, Doug was born. In 1951 their family grew with the arrival of their second son, Bruce followed by Scott in 1952, giving Helen three busy boys to care for. Helen decided to become a foster mother in 1962. She cared for numerous children over the years and this is how she completed her family with the adoptions of her son Fred and her daughter, Brenda. Helen held many positions as a teacher and ended her career as a teacher’s aid at the TD Michel School. She also helped out on the family farm until Oscar's passing in 1985. In 1990, Helen married Carmen Weir, Helen & Carmen shared many common interests which included fishing, berry picking and gardening. Carmen passed away in 2000 and Helen found it difficult to maintain the home on her own. She moved to a private care home run by Orville & Caroline Leach. Helen later moved to Lakewood Lodge and resided there until her passing. Helen enjoyed spending time with her family. She was very proud of all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother and a friend. She was a strong, hardworking, loving and caring woman who carried on even when times were tough. We are very fortunate to carry on with her in our hearts and to have had her in our lives. Helen leaves to cherish her memories Her children: Doug (Mary Ann) Reed, Bruce (Lynda) Reed, Scott (Mary Ellen) Reed, Fred Reed, Brenda Reed, her stepchildren Karen (Frank) Goodwin, Lorraine (Gordon) Selkirk, Marilyn (Peter) LaMothe, her grandchildren Dean (Tammy), Travis (Falon), Karen (Colin), Brooke (David), Lance (Cristy), Erin (Ryan), Brett (Stephanie), Amber (Billy) and Graham (Talena), her step grandchildren Kevin, Lisa (Dale), Jeff (Lisa), Jason (Bonnie), Jerelyn (Rob), Logan and Nathan, her sister in law Donna Neale and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. Helen is predeceased by her first husband Oscar Reed in 1985, her second husband, Carmen Weir in 2000, her parents Alfred and Josina (nee Heyden) Neale, her brother George Neale, her daughter in law Maureen in 2009. Memorial Service for Helen was held on Monday Jan 14, 2013 - 2:00 pm from the Big River Community Hall. Memorial donations in Helen's memory may be made to the Lakewood Lodge Auxiliary. Email condolences will be forwarded to the family. Delores Beaulac of Beau Lac Funeral Home entrusted with arrangements.