1934 - 2023
Helen Margaret Wright was born April 18, 1934 in Lethbridge, AB to Wilson Martin Wright (1896-1954) and Nellie Irene Stirling (1902-1989).
Helen grew up in Taber, AB where she developed a lifelong love of tennis. Upon high school graduation she moved to Edmonton to attend university. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Laboratory Technology in 1955. That same year she married Richard Wray. They spent their first year of married life in Edmonton where Helen worked as a laboratory technologist and Richard (Dick) completed his medical residency.
In 1956 they moved to Olds, AB. There were no jobs openings for laboratory technologist, so Helen worked at Maybanks Drugstore. Helen and Dick got involved with the community and started a lifelong trend of adopting stray dogs. Curling was one of their favourite activities. Helen loved to garden, pick berries, freeze, and can produce.
In 1960 they adopted their first daughter Donna and went on to adopt four more children, Stephen, Nancy, Kenneth, and Susan. Over the years Helen drove them to music and singing lessons. hockey, figure skating, swimming, and a host of other activities. She was a wonderful cook. They camped and went on picnics in the summer and skied in the winter. She sewed clothes for girls, costumes for Halloween and skating carnivals. Helen adopted stray cats, rabbits, and a stable of other pets.
The family loved to camp along Kootenay Lake. First camping at Sanca and then Gray Creek before purchasing a family cabin in Kuskinook. The cabin became a beloved holiday spot for the family and grandchildren. Once all the kids left home, Helen expanded her sewing repertoire. She sewed ski jackets and active wear for all kids and grandchildren. She also enjoyed agility training and competitions with several of her beloved Brittany spaniel dogs. She ensured all the family dogs had long walks every day. Her love for animals grew so she started volunteering for Medicine Wildlife Centre.
Helen and Dick travelled to many spots in Central and South America. Their favourite spot was Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Alas her osteoporosis started impacting her everyday life. First, she had to stop agility training and over the years had to stop pretty much everything else she loved as the pain of the osteoporosis was too great. She never complained or let anyone help her.
Helen passed away on March 11, 2023. She is survived by her loving husband Richard Wray; children Donna, Stephen, Nancy (Steve), Kenneth (Karla) and Susan (Greg); grandchildren Matthew and Leigh Thompson, Zachary Wray and Sydney Ragan, Mason, Dawson and Jensen Wray, Kaitlyn and Austin McDonald, and sister Betty Lake.
The family would like to thank Dr. Leoni Kelly for the care she provided Helen and the family. Helen wishes was to spend her last days at home, and this would not have been possible with out the support of Dr. Kelly. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to Osteoporosis Canada in Helen’s name.
Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with the arrangements. Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., Olds entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com
