Helen Margaret Fogarty

Helen calmly and peacefully passed away after a long and gradual journey with vascular dementia.

She lived a long and eventful life beginning as part of the Gerry - Innes clan, as the eldest child of Eldon Crooks Gerry and Florence Juanita Innes in Regina, Saskatchewan.

At school, she excelled mathematics and sciences; only, as a girl of that era, to end up graduating in what was Household Sciences from U. Sask. in 1947.

She interned as a Dietitian at Vancouver General Hospital, then went to work at Shaughnessy Veterans Hospital, where she built up broken down, young men. One of whom was James Patrick (Pat) Fogarty (1920- 2003) - a charming man who told a good tale. This training was crucial for how her life would unfold.

Life with Pat took her across Canada, beyond and back over 53 years together. Gorlin Goltz Syndrome was an unfortunate, genetic aspect which would cause mayhem with their family. It claimed the lives of three of their sons, the first little boy (1951), John (1973) and Rick (2019). Throughout all their illnesses, Helen was the one who tended to them lovingly, nourishing them, advocating for them with medical staff and making their lives as fulfilled as they could be.

Helen was one of those “do-ers”. She loved music be it playing the piano, attending concerts and symphony or being a soprano in whichever United Church of Canada she attended from coast to coast from the age of 14 to her 80s - when stenosis in her spine made it impossible. She had an ear for languages and took French, Gaelic and even Russian classes. There were book clubs and Bridge as well as University Women’s Club and groups and events at the church. She loved all kinds of books and sharing them with book clubs she belonged to.

Vascular Dementia was an uninvited guest at her table. It robbed of her time when she was free to do what she wanted and look back at where she had been. The Lockdown, only remote access, on-screen world, thrust on Helen, during this Pandemic, was devastating for her health and soul.

To help her get the best out of her time, she had a league of people to help her on her way: Dr. Joan Carruthers, Dr. Kevin Wylie, the Seniors Outpatient Clinic at the RJH, Minds in Motion, Luther Court Day Program, Voices in Motion, Dr. Wayne Walker, the caregivers with Serenity Home Care, the Queen Alexandra Fisher Building clinics, the visiting nurses from Public Health, every driver with HandiDart and the Taxi-saver program, the incredibly, kind members of Saanich Police, Fire and BC Ambulance, all the staff in the Royal Jubilee’s Emergency and 4 South PCC and most of all her extended family and neighbours at Blair Place.

In memory of Helen, the family suggests memorials to your local Alzheimer’s Society, Wounded Warrior Project or any local programs that engage people living with a memory loss condition.