Helen Bryer
In Loving Memory of Helen Rose Bryer
Dec.7,1919- Oct. 3, 2026
Born Lily Rose Thurston
Helen Rose Bryer, a remarkable soul who graced this world for just two months short of an incredible 107 years, has embarked on her final journey. With a heart as tender as a well-worn book and eyes that held the wisdom of countless sunrises, Helen touched the lives of everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Born Lily Rose Thurston, alongside her twin sister Violet Ivy, to Matilda and Ernest John (Jerry) Thurston on Dec. 7, 1919 in the quiet embrace of the then small community of Sudbury. The twins were the youngest of seven children born to Matilda and Jerry.
Imagine the turmoil when their mother passed away in their fourth year and their father, the local blacksmith, passed away the following year, leaving seven orphans behind.
All the children were separated. Their older brothers, Stan, Art, Ernie and Vic, worked on farms and their older sister, Fran, worked as a maid’s helper. The twins were put in an orphanage and suffered emotional turmoil being separated and sent to one foster family after another. At the age of seven, Violet Ivy was adopted by Clara and Delmer Andress. Lily Rose was adopted by WT and Charlotte Duncan who changed her name to Helen. The twins were in the same classroom but went home to different families. Helen found solace in the rustling leaves and whispering winds, especially at the Duncan camp on Birch Island. Despite being apart, the twins managed to stay in contact throughout their entire lives until Vi’s passing in November 2023 just three weeks before her 104th birthday.
Helen would recall how early childhood schooling instilled poetry that danced through her imagination and prose that was committed to memory at an early age. Her love of poetry was a flame that never waned. Even in the months preceding her passing, she would sit while her fingers moved like leaves in the wind as she recited her favourite verses from memory. Her children remember her reciting verses at bedtime, her voice a soothing lullaby that carried them into dreamscapes.
In her early 20s Helen moved to North Bay where she met and married her true love, Wilfred Newman (Newt) Bryer, (VE3HF, Amateur Radio Call Sign) who predeceased her in 1990.
They had four children together, Eric VE6HF (predeceased 2025) (Sheila), Red Deer, AB; Bruce, Toronto; Doreen (Karl) North Bay and Keith (Glad) North Bay. Helen was a proud Grandma to Hilary (Eric) Sudbury and Graham, Olds, AB and a loving GG to Zachary (Amélie) Sudbury; Adeline (Wyatt) Sudbury and Jakob, Olds, AB. Through her gentle mannerisms she encouraged them all to find beauty in the ordinary, listen to the bird songs and to cherish the quiet moments. Her home was a haven of warmth, mingled with laughter, music and stories.
Helen’s career spanned over four decades during which she held positions as a typist and stenographer for various private enterprises. Pitman shorthand was a passion and she excelled at taking dictation although to most folks, shorthand was simply “unintelligible scribble”. In 1976 Helen embarked on a new career and joined the esteemed ranks of the Department of National Defence (NORAD) where she worked for the Air Defence Command in what was affectionately known as The Hole. Her tenure there was shrouded in dedication and purpose until her well-deserved retirement in 1984. Helen often reminisced about the sense of fulfilment she found serving the DND as a civilian – a legacy she spoke of proudly and with the highest regard.
In her earlier years Helen enjoyed knitting (especially Mary Maxim sweaters for everyone in the family), baking lemon meringue pies and butter tarts, taking sketching lessons with Hap Wilson, quilting small projects (shoe bags, lap blankets and wall hangings) at the Golden Age and especially taking line dancing classes with Maureen and Linda at the Golden Age. She loved tinkling the ivories with her favourite pieces; You Are My Sunshine, O Danny Boy and The Woodpecker Song. Helen was featured on CTV Northern Ontario News two birthdays in a row and on her 106th birthday she performed The Woodpecker Song on piano.
Helen was a life- long member (over 70 years) of St. Brice’s Anglican Church. She received an award in 2013 (age 94), for her dedicated service as Treasurer of the ACW and her many years of service in the Altar Guild. St. Brice’s was a very important part of Helen’s life.
In her twilight years Helen reveled in the simple pleasures; the touch of sun-warmed soil as she inspected her garden rhubarb, tending to her bird feeders as the birds and chipmunks made short work of the endless supply of seeds, chatting with friends, Heather and Annette on the phone, solving Jumble word puzzles, talking to her budgies, Jeanie and Blue and of course playing the piano. The poems she cherished from her school days resurfaced entirely, flowing like whispered secrets and carried on the breath of a woman whose zest for life and compassion for those less fortunate, should serve as a constant reminder to us all, that in a world where you can be anything….be kind.
Her indomitable spirit held memories of love, loss and resilience. She welcomed each day with gratitude, knowing that life was a tapestry woven from both joy and sorrow.
And now, as we bid our mother farewell, we will celebrate the legacy that was Helen Rose Bryer. May her verses echo in the rustling leaves, her laughter ripple through the wind and her quiet indomitable strength inspire generations to come.
The family would like to thank ParaMed PSWs Annette, Caryl, Deann and Jennifer, for taking such wonderful care of our mother during her almost 3 years of living with us. The hours of enjoyment, laughter and dedicated care you gave to her are greatly appreciated.
Thank you to Katie, mom’s OHaH care coordinator for listening and for accommodating mom’s needs and ours.
Thank you to Nurse Randy from Care Partners whose weekly visits put a twinkle in mom’s eye and whose wise suggestions we followed with great success.
Thank you to Kleda who gave mom the most relaxing and beautiful pedicures and manicures (mom’s nails were her pride and joy).
Thank you to Ronnie who made mom look 20 years younger after styling her hair beautifully while we listened to Italian songs (see above photo taken on Helen’s 106 Birthday).
Thank you to Tina (Behavioral Supports) for your much appreciated support and your well written Personhood.
Thank you to Caroline (Physiotherapy) for getting mom back on her feet in 2003 and for your caring dedication with her again this year.
Thank you to Marie at St. Brice’s for giving mom solace, comfort and peace in her last few days.
There will be a Service of Thanksgiving for Helen at St. Brice’s Church on October 17, 2026 at 11:00 am followed by a reception in the Church Hall.
As per Helen’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, donations to St. Brice’s Church would be appreciated.
“I remember, I remember, the house where I was born,
The little window where the sun came peeping in at morn,
He never came a wink too soon, nor brought too long a day,
But now I often wish the night had borne my breath away.”
“Rest in Peace, Lily Rose”
