Our beloved mother died with her granddaughter Isabel singing sweetly and her daughter Sandy holding her hand. Someone who lived her life with such spirit and such kindness deserved to have it conclude in peace and beauty.

Helen was predeceased by her husband Malcolm in April of this year, and survived by daughters Anita (Grant) and Sandy (Chris), grandson Emile, and granddaughter Isabel. Her memory will also be cherished by siblings Betty, Barbara, and Bob as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was born as Helen Forbes in Kapuskasing, Ontario, a place, as she told it, of idyllic childhood, where she first showed her sense of adventure, her athletic prowess, and her deep sociability.

She began her teaching career at Normal School in Sault Ste. Marie, saving the money she made teaching to pay for her years at Queen’s University, where she completed her Bachelor’s degree while winning one trophy after another in every sport she played, most notably tennis and badminton.

One of Helen’s ambitions was to travel to all the Commonwealth countries, and she took a good shot at it. Most memorably, she went to teach Phys. Ed. at Woodstock School in Mussoorie, India, where she met Malcolm Swing. He then came to Canada in 1961 where they were married.

Both taught for many years at Selkirk High School in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In the 1960s, daughters Anita and Sandy completed the family. Helen taught gym, coached, and latterly was a guidance counselor. She took many young people under her wing, trying to give them opportunities and self-confidence. We would sometimes come home from school to find a student joining us at the dinner table.

In her spare time, Helen gardened, most happily at the cottage at Pebbly Beach on Lake Superior, and was always involved with the United Church, for many years teaching the Sunday School class for 3 year olds. She also enjoyed being a camp counselor at Loon Lake in the summer, taking special delight in rousing sleepy campers for “morning jerks.”

One of Helen’s most endearing qualities was her love of fun; she was tireless in getting others to join in with games and songs, and taught us that you could talk to anyone, anywhere. She also had a strong sense of duty to family and community, evident in our yearly trips to visit family scattered across Canada and her years volunteering at the Soup Kitchen. Helen trusted and accepted people, and they responded in kind. Even though dementia robbed her of so much, including, finally, her power of speech and ability to walk, she retained her mischievous expression and calm, dignified presence to the end.

Helen Swing has left an important legacy to many. One cousin noted that she pushed boundaries. Indeed, she was a natural feminist before the term was in use, and we remember with pride her story of convincing school authorities in India that her female gym students couldn’t possibly run in saris and needed to be allowed to wear shorts instead.

Most importantly, with her strong sense of ethics and her belief in both herself and others, she taught us how to be strong and compassionate women.

Deepest thanks to the many staff members at Kamloops Seniors Village who respected and cherished our mother and to Brenda Thompson, caregiver extraordinaire, who became like another devoted daughter and sister to our family.

Rest in peace, Mom. You live on forever in our hearts and in our actions

Condolences may be expressed at www.myalternatives.ca

• Date : 2016-07-28
• Location : Kamloops, B.C.