Helen Stann

Helen Mary Francisco was born in Lunenburg County, Victoria, Virginia, USA on November 19th, 1924. Although her parents had immigrated separately to Canada from the United States with their own families, they had met and homesteaded near Buffalo, Alberta. When Helen was born, the young family, which now included a 2 year old boy, Bill, were staying with Helens aunt in Virginia while Helens father completed a chiropractic program in Davenport, Iowa. Shortly after completion of that program, the young family returned to Buffalo to farm. Helens parents became naturalized citizens but Helen was not, which in later life caused her some problems with receiving Medical after moving to BC. In 1929, the farm in Buffalo was sold and the family loaded up the Model T Ford and set out to live on land purchased near the village of Flaxcombe, Saskatchewan. There they built a good life and added 2 more boys and a girl to the family. Summers were good on the farm but winters were spent in town where they could skate and curl. Helen was a good curler in school and was skip of her team. She had fond memories of Sports Days and functions at the Community Hall that brought the whole community together. When Helen was 16 years old, she won an award in a public speaking contest with competitors from the surrounding schools. Her subject was Sir Winston Churchill. With the prize money, she proudly purchased her first watch. On completion of high school, Helen went to Calgary and spent a year at the Prophetic Bible Institute, a place that solidified her faith. Then she enrolled at Garbutts Business College, later working for the Mid-West Paper Co. for 4 years. On a trip home at Christmas, a friend asked her to go with her to Bible School in Eston, Sk. Helen did so and it was there that she met Andrew Stann. After 1 semester at Eston, Helen went with yet another friend to work in Toronto. In 1949, Helen received a call from Andy as he was coming home to Kitchener for Christmas. A couple of weeks after New Years 1950, Andy presented Helen with an engagement ring and they were married at Flaxcombe, July 22nd, 1950. So began their married life which brought them 7 children and homes in Alsask, Sk., Viking, Alta., Guelph & Kitchener, Ont., Duncan & Victoria, BC and, finally, Edmonton, Alta. Andy felt called to the ministry which meant he was often away. Helen stayed with the children and worked many odd jobs including having multiple boarders in their home to make ends meet. Eventually, Andy left the family for good and they were divorced in 1979. Helen always tried to do the best she could for her children. Life was not easy for her and she felt that moving was an option that improved their situation for a time. Moves to Kelowna, Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, and Edmonton caused their own difficulties. In July 2009, Helen moved to Victoria BC and came to Luther Court to live in an independent living apartment. Here she found a community that supported her as her health changed. She made friends, found she loved making cards and pictures through the Activity Program, and attended social events that she so enjoyed! She loved a party! These were the best years of her adult life and she was thankful for the Luther Court community that provided housing but also peace for her last years. Even in some confusion at the end of her life, she still said that she would soon be going back to her home at Luther Court. Helen went to be with her God, who had sustained her throughout her life on June 18, 2014. Her parents, Harold and Edna Francisco; her brother, Bill; and her sons, Raymond and Trevor, predecease her. She is survived by her son Daniel (Jeanie) of Victoria; her daughters, Cheryl of Summerland and Charlene of Kelowna; her sons Andrew & Darren of Olds, Alta.; 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; her brothers George (Jessie) of Calgary and Ben (Leta) of Kelowna; sister June Driediger of Aldergrove; plus many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 am on Saturday June 28th, 2014 at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 3787 Cedar Hill Rd Victoria, BC Canada V8P 5V5 (http://www.lutheranvictoria.ca/) Donations in memory of Helen may be made to Luther Court Society, Our Place, or a charity of donors choice. Blessed be her memory!