Gowans, Helen Margaret (Streeper)
May 28, 1927 – October 7, 2024
at the age of 97:
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our Mother, Grandmother, Sister, Great Grandmother, Great-Great Grandmother, Aunt, Cousin and friend. Helen passed away peacefully in the care of Bastion Place on Monday, October 7, 2024, at the age of 97 years.
Helen was born in Cherry Point, Alberta on May 28, 1927. She was the oldest of three children born to William (Barney) and Anne (Nan) Streeper. The family moved to Fort Nelson, BC where her father and uncle operated a River Boat Transport Company, and her mother was a school teacher. After having her son Daniel in 1947, Helen lived in California for a time before returning home to Fort Nelson. In 1965 she relocated to Calgary, Alberta where she worked for the RBC and then later became a Real Estate Agent. She married Robert Gowans in 1988 and moved to his farm in Evart, Alberta. Robert passed in 2004 and Helen moved back to Calgary for a time until she relocated to Salmon Arm, BC to be closer to family in 2011. Helen had been a resident of the Shuswap Lodge since 2012.
Helen was an avid reader and surrounded herself with thousands of books. She read most of them several times and felt like they were old friends. She also loved playing Scrabble, in person and online and spent many hours playing with her friend and Stepdaughter Ann.
Helen loved to travel, and although her trips took her to places like Australia, her favourite times were when she would pack up her car and drive out to visit family and friends. She lived life to the fullest, loved her family and friends, and had a great sense of humour. Going out to dinner and having a good Caesar were at the top of her list of things to do!
Helen was predeceased by her husband Robert Gowans in 2004, her father William (Barney) and mother Anne (Nan) Streeper, her infant brother William, her sister Mary Josephine (Jody) Frasson, her Brother-in-law Angelo Joseph (Joe) Frasson and Robert’s son Robert William (Bill) Gowans.
Helen will be greatly missed by her son Daniel Radick, Granddaughter Danielle (Rick) Dubois, Grandson Kyle (Kamala) Radick, Great-Granddaughter Erica (Andrew) Gosling, Great-Grandsons Rory Dubois and Gage and Dax Radick, and Great-Great Grandchildren Emma, Gwendolyn and Finley Gosling. Also left to cherish her memory are her husband Robert’s family Bonnie (Darel) Hunting, Brian Gowans, Ann (Jim) Szpajcher, Coleen (Doug) Walkey, Gordon Gowans, Alice (John) Gowans, Nephew Bernard (Ena) Frasson, Niece Nan (Ray) Wlasichuk and their extended family as well as many beloved relatives from the Streeper, Bumstead and Cornish families and dear friends Ron and Marilyn Kobe.
We would like to thank the Staff at Bastion Place and the Shuswap Lodge, Dr. Lorenz, and Melanie French and the wonderful Care-Aides with Community Care for their compassionate care of Helen.
A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
