Helen Miller
Sept. 30th, 1933 - Sept. 2nd, 2014
Helen Miller (nee Graff), passed into the welcoming embrace of her beloved son Trevor (1993) and Husband of 53 years, Harvey (2009), on Tuesday, September 2nd, just a few weeks shy of her 81st birthday, with Son Gregory at her side. She was predeceased by her Parents Paul and Emma, and brothers Jackie and Paul Graff. She is survived by her sister Diane Graff-Bowen, brother Howard Graff, son Gregory, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Helen was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan. She loved spending her young summers at her friend’s farm, and at Regina Beach and Lake Katepwa. She married Harvey Miller in 1956, an Officer in the RCAF, and thus began her life with the Air Force, which took them to the exotic venues of Claresholm, Alberta, St. Hubert, Quebec, Grostenquin, France (2 Wing), and Zweibrucken, Germany (3 Wing), before finally arriving in the Comox Valley in 1966. With both Trevor and Greg in Primary School, Helen decided that this was the place to raise their young family!
Helen loved her flower garden; she was very proud of her roses, lilies, tulips, crocuses and poppies. She was an amazing seamstress, sewing much of her always impeccable wardrobe, and often helped others with wedding, graduation, and special occasion designs. She created incredible works in both Needlepoint and Pettipoint, and to help keep things active, she took up Line dancing! At age 60, Helen got her drivers licence! She loved tootling around in her white Tercel, visiting several close friends for regular walks and coffee. She also enjoyed her road trips with Harvey to Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, to visit family and friends, and to share delicious Comox Valley seafood with the ‘Stubble Jumpers’! In the mid 1990’s, Helen began volunteering with Child Development. She adored her time with the children, which continued until 2008.
A very sincere Thank-you to Bud and Irene Woods and family, close friends for more than 40 years, Tess Mead, Dave and Gail Blamire, Vicky Harland-Flack, Elaine Stupendick, and the Nursing and Care Aid staff of unit D-1 at Comox Valley Senior’s Village, who were such a bright light during Helen’s time there.
Helen will be greatly missed, and a celebration of her life is planned for Sunday, September 28th at the Holiday Inn, 2200 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. All Helen’s family and friends are welcome.