Helen Florence McCormick

Helen McCormick ( 1930 – 2024 )

Having enjoyed a long and good life, Helen McCormick blew her last kiss, winked her last wink, and took leave of this world on March 15, 2024, nearing the end of her 94th year. Helen made the world a happier place. She will be deeply missed.

She was born Helen Florence Moore on May 1, 1930, in the small-patch, farming community of Victoria West, Prince Edward Island. Helen’s parents were the late Eldon and Minnie (Cotton) Moore, multi-generational farmers. Born to a modest farming family at the start of the Great Depression, Helen learned about hard work and scarcity from a young age. Mercifully, the privations of those early years also taught Helen to find fun and joy in the simplest things. The Great Depression strained Helen’s childhood, but it certainly did not ‘depress’ her. The energy Helen brought to living was a thing to behold. She had determination, and a very strong motor. As Helen herself confided recently, she had a great life, and hers was a life well lived.

In August 1947, aged 17 years, Helen married her late husband, James Ivan McCormick, in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. In 1952, Ivan joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in Prince Edward Island, and he and Helen were promptly transferred far across the country to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Four years in Saskatoon were followed by 5 years in Barrie, Ontario, and nearby Camp Borden. Then in 1961, Helen and Ivan brought their family to Trenton, Ontario, at the insistence of the RCAF … and they never moved again. They had two children; their daughter, the late Helen Diane (McCormick) Brewer, and their son James Douglas (Doug) McCormick.

In her day, Helen was very well known throughout Trenton, and was a friend to many. Helen was out-going and made friends easily. She was kind, empathetic and sincere. Helen could also be devilish and a prankster. She loved a good joke and was often the life-of-the-party … as well as the caterer.

For decades, Helen served as a head teller in Trenton, at the Royal Bank and the Bank of Nova Scotia. Conversations with her customers and co-workers were the highlight of her day, and lead to many friendships and acquaintances. Helen also made friends through her charitable works and recreational interests … including camping, curling, and the card game bridge. Helen was a particularly keen bridge player, well known for playing in many bridge clubs and tournaments, and winning more than her fair share. She also taught bridge at night school for a few years. What is more, Helen was a ‘rabid hockey mom’, for many years back in the 1960’s. Loving spouse and parent. Great cook. Fabulous baker. Faithful supporter. Career woman. Amazing homemaker. Trusted confidant. Ready volunteer. Sage advisor. Dreadful singer! Best mother in the world.

Helen donated much of her time and talents to charitable work for the United Church, the Red Cross, the Legion and the Air Force base. She always made time to volunteer for her charities, and she found fun in the process of helping. Helen’s long charitable service won her a number of recognition awards, and many more friendships.

Helen was predeceased by her husband Ivan, her daughter Diane, both parents and all three brothers: Denzil, Thomas and Wyman Moore. Helen was also predeceased by her special friend, Don Moulton, a close companion for more than a decade of her later life.

Helen is survived, and her memory cherished by her son Doug McCormick of Toronto, and her sister Irma Vera Moore, of Linkletter, Prince Edward Island. She will also be missed by grandchildren, Tammie (Todd) Mitchell, Justin Brewer, Dasha McCormick, Anna Novikova and great grandchild Todd Lawrence ‘T. J.’ Mitchell Jr.

Helen’s family offers our sincere thanks to the staff and residents at Seasons Dufferin Centre for their caring and support. We are also grateful for the superb care Helen received at Trenton Memorial Hospital and Belmont LTC in Belleville. In addition, we are especially grateful to Trentonians, Sue and Bill Weese, and Cathy and Duncan Armstrong for staying in Helen’s later life, visiting and helping with appointments, needs and companionship. It meant the world.

May 1st , was Helen’s birthday. Fittingly, a Celebration of Life gathering will be held for Helen at the Royal Canadian Legion (19 Quinte St., Trenton), on Wednesday, May 1, at 2:00 pm. … the day that would have been Helen’s 94th birthday. Friends and acquaintances are encouraged to attend. Guests will be welcome to share their memories of Helen, if they wish, or just chat and listen. Refreshments courtesy of the Legion Women’s Auxiliary.

According to her wishes, Helen will be interred alongside her late husband Ivan, in the columbarium at White’s Cemetery, Bayside, Ontario. Helen’s son Doug, and granddaughter Tammie, will spread a portion of Helen’s ashes in her favourite places on Prince Edward Island, and eat lobster with ‘new’ potatoes and fiddleheads, in her honour … oh, and some homemade bread.

For those wishing to honour Helen’s memory with a charitable donation, her family suggests The Canadian Red Cross. Arrangements are under the care of RUSHNELL FUNERAL HOME, 60 Division Street, Trenton (613-392-2111). To leave a condolence or to share memories of Helen, please visit rushnellfuneralhomes.com