Helen Doris Tomkins
Helen Doris Tomkins (nee Marr) passed away peacefully on January 18, 2022.
Helen was the only child of George and Alberta Marr (nee McAuley). Helen was raised on the farm seventeen miles south of Cereal. She attended Helmsdale school. And high school in Chinook where she made may life long friends. After graduation, Helen went to Calgary where she attended Henderson College of Business. She then went on to work at MacCosham’s.
In 1956 Helen married Gerald Tomkins of Chinook. They started out their married life and raising their family in Pouce Coupe, BC, where both Dianne and Darrell were born. In 1958 the family moved back to the Marr farm. The next addition, Dwayne, arrived on scene while the Tomkins’ resided on the Marr farm. 1964 saw the family move to their newly purchased farm seventeen miles southwest of Oyen.
While living there, the last member of the family, Dawn, was born. Gerald and Helen continued to farm until their retirement in 1996. They moved to their new home in Oyen in 1997. Helen resided there until 2015 at which time she moved to the self-contained suites at the Oyen Lodge.
Helen enjoyed many activities such as camping, playing bingo and cards, cross-country skiing, dancing, ice curling and in her later years floor curling. Floor curling took her to competitions all across the Province, including the Alberta Seniors Games. There was always much socializing with many wonderful friends.
Helen loved to travel, making many trips to the west coast with Gerald as well as trips to Ontario and the States. After Gerald’s passing, she continued to travel, enjoying Caribbean and Alaskan cruises and numerous bus trips; the most memorable, a month-long trip to the east coast. She loved reminiscing about her travels with the many photos she had taken documenting each trip.
Helen also liked to crochet, and made an afghan for each of her grandchildren. All of her kids have pieces of her work which will continue to be enjoyed in the years to come.
Helen will be lovingly remembered by her daughter Dianne (Ken) Styles, sons Darrell (Bev) and Dwayne (Cheryl), daughter Dawn (Trevor Whenham), five grandchildren, Jacqueline (Terry) Gill, Jaime (Ben) Rhyno, Justin (Erin), Trevor and Jyl, eight great grandchildren, Walker, Lincoln, Lennox and Rhodes Gill, Avelyn, Linden, Nyla and Carson Tomkins.
She was predeceased by her husband Gerald, her parents George and Alberta Marr, her mother-in-law Mary Tomkins; father-in-law Bill Tomkins; sisters-in-law Marjorie Pidhirney and Beulah Tomkins and brothers-in-law Pete Pidhirney and Dean Tomkins and two nephews Leroy Tomkins and Dale Pidhirney.
Helen’s kind heart, warm smile and love of her family will be treasured and forever missed.
The family would like to express their appreciation for the support and comfort each one of you have given.
Memorial tributes may be directed to Oyen and District Health Care Foundation Box 1, Oyen, AB T0J 2J0 or to the Oyen United Church Box 392 Oyen, AB T0J 2J0
Funeral arrangements in care of MacLean’s Funeral Home, Oyen, Alberta.