Helen Elaine Near

Near, Helen Elaine (Holmes) It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Helen at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital on August 18, 2020 in her 94th year.
Helen is predeceased by her parents Francis and Violet Holmes, her Aunt Ada Near, her husband Ernest Near and her siblings Joan McEnery, Bev Laing, and Robert Holmes as well as cousins Frank, Marjorie and William Near. Helen was a loved sister of Bill, Jack (deceased), Jean Hall, and Gord and a treasured friend to predeceased sister-in-laws Peggy and Ruth. Helen was a dear "Auntie" to Ruddy (Maureen), Glenn (Jodie), Jack (Jocqueline), Cathy (John), Dale, Kelly (Lawrence) and many other nieces and nephews. Helen took delight in being a Great Aunt to Kate, Kelly, Matson, Cameron, Cole, Sara, Kayla, Emily, Lorcan and many others. Helen was blessed as a Great-Great Aunt and will be missed by her American cousins. Helen enjoyed lifelong friendships with childhood pals Marg, Joyce, lnga, and Shirley and cherished her Dutch friends Gerrie and Anneke along with May, Myrtle, and Anna. Her final years were eased and kept fun on adventures with her friend Deb, for which the family is grateful. Born and raised in Acton, Ontario by her Aunt Ada after the untimely death of her mother Violet, Helen was the first in her family to pursue post-secondary education and graduated from the St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in Guelph, Ontario in 1949. Helen practiced as a nurse at both Milton Hospital in Ontario and Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, before returning to Acton to provide care for her Aunt Ada for ten years, after which she married Ernest. Helen loved cheering on Canadian curlers, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto Blue Jays (on her transistor radio). Helen also loved a good game of cards, crokinole (a Holmes family favourite) or darts. Helen was very loyal to her hometown and was a dedicated longtime volunteer at the local Meals on Wheels. Helen was fun and loved life. She took an interest in many activities such as crafting, reading tea leaves, baking pies and Aunt Ada's tea biscuits, cross-country skiing, reading books, doing puzzles, and lunching at the Boathouse. She also had a keen interest in the British and Dutch royal families. Helen caught the travel bug in her 20s and visited much of Europe, Canada, the U.S. (an enduring fascination) and various tropical islands. ln lieu of flowers, Auntie requested donations to the Salvation Army Acton Community Church.