Helen Reed

In Loving Memory of

Helen Reed

Helen, the twelfth of thirteen children and youngest daughter, was born to Peter and Hannah Makarow on May 20, 1931 on the family farm west of Nora, SK. She attended Bradgate School with her siblings and neighbouring farm children.

On December 31, 1950 at a New Year's Eve dance, she met Robert "Bob" Reed. A whirlwind romance followed, seeing them engaged by Valentine's Day and married on March 22, 1951 in Tisdale, SK.

Their first child, Roberta Ann, was born in 1955. A second daughter, Karen Lee, arrived in 1959. The family was complete with the birth of their son, Robert Allan Jr., in 1965.

Bob and Helen made their home in Nora, SK and later Archerwill, SK. Upon Bob's passing in 1977, Helen worked for the Archerwill Co-op as a painter and as caretaker for the Saskatchewan Housing Authority. She even tried her hand at cooking in a diamond drilling camp for Amisk Drilling.

Her great passions and joy were quilting, crocheting, gardening and her Christianity. Through her children, her quilts found homes across Canada. In the fall of 2020, she said she had planted and harvested her last garden and was passing the hoe and rake to her grandson Greg. With a deep and abiding faith, each day she proclaimed, “Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour”.

Helen always said that she wouldn't pass away in the winter and make anyone dig a grave for her in the frozen ground. True to her word, she waited until the first day of spring, March 20th! Helen passed away after a short stay in the Tisdale Hospital, with her daughters by her side.

Helen is survived by daughter Roberta (Robert) Ewen of Archerwill, SK and grandson Gregory (Judy), daughter Karen (Ken) Anderson of Archerwill, SK and son Robert (Bill Grudecki) Reed, Jr. of Niagara Falls, ON, her sister Sarah Hallett of Invermere, BC, brother Joe (Clarice) Makarow of Lajord, SK, sisters-in-law Mary Makarow of Wadena, SK and Lucy Makarow, her best friend, of Rose Valley, SK.

She was predeceased by her husband of 26 years, Bob, her parents Peter and Hannah, siblings Alice Vigeron, John Makarow, George Makarow, Eva Graham, Alex Makarow, Adam Makarow, Nick Makarow, Sonia Graham, Mary Kanak and her childhood playmate, her little brother Paul Makarow.

As per Helen's wishes, a private family graveside service will be held.