Helen Margaret Ferguson
DECEMBER 21, 1928 – NOVEMBER 2, 2023
Between these photos was a life well lived.
The family of Helen Margaret Ferguson, sadly announce her passing in Halifax on November 2nd, 2023 at the age of 94 years.
Born in Halifax, Helen was the daughter of the late Frederick and Mae (Slaunwhite) Charlton.
She is survived by her husband of 74 years, Philip Skit Ferguson, their four children; Karla Napier (Stephen), Edinburgh; Steve Ferguson (Gisele) Sackville, NB; Elaine Mattatall (David) Dartmouth; Brenda Vaughan (Alex) Dartmouth; grandchildren Tyler Ferguson, Michael Vaughan, Juliana Napier, Daniel Mattatall, Paul Napier, Parker Vaughan, and great-grandchildren, Hunter, Bria, and Leni. She is also survived by her sister Evelyn Comfort and sister-in-law Jacqueline, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her beloved grandson James Mattatall and her six brothers, Cyril, Ken, Don (Chick), Ervin, Reggie, and Ronnie.
Helen was born and raised in Halifax. She cared deeply about her siblings and shared memories about baking special treats to send overseas to her brother Cyril, and of looking out for her little brother Ronnie. Helen was also a keen student. She particularly excelled in math, scoring 100% on her Grade 9 Report Card thus earning her whole class an ice cream treat. Helen was an athletic young woman who enjoyed paddling, rowing, and especially skating. It was through her love of skating that she chanced upon meeting her life-long partner, Skit, when she singled him out to escort her home one evening. Little did they know, that one evening would turn into a 75 year-long life adventure.
Helen was a lifelong resident of Dartmouth where she and Skit settled and raised their family. She worked hard in her role as homemaker and mother, excelling at everything from cooking and baking, sewing, knitting and other crafts, to regularly re-designing the interior of their home.
Both Helen and Skit became avid bridge players, joining a special community known as The Bridge Club. The incredibly special lifelong friendships developed in The Bridge Club continue to this day.
As the demands of parenting lessened, Helen tapped into her innate athleticism and became an accomplished golfer and curler winning many accolades over the years.
In her later years, Helen took great pleasure in both long blade ice skating and cross-country skiing. She dedicated a significant amount of time to her grandchildren for which we are all grateful. She also was able to satisfy her desire to travel by taking some very memorable trips to China and Russia with her dear friends.
Helen was a generous and giving person. She loved nothing better than helping her children, grandchildren, and her friends. She was also honest to a fault when it came to asking her opinion about anything. The perfect companion to take bathing suit shopping.
While in her seventies and eighties, Helen faced significant health challenges including heart trouble, four joint replacements, macular degeneration, and then, in her nineties, dementia. She worked hard to maintain her independence and insisted on performing meaningful tasks every day.
We would like to express our gratitude to the staff at both Parkland Lewis Hall and St. Vincents Nursing Home for their compassionate care of Helen during the final months of her life.
Cremation has taken place under the care of A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, Dartmouth. At this time no services are planned. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.