Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Helen Evelyn Carsted, who passed away peacefully at the age of 86 last week.
Helen was a nurse, small business owner, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and loving wife of 64 years to George.
George would move to Winnipeg, where Helen studied nursing. He would brave frigid Winnipeg winters on a bicycle every day. Helen was worth it, he said.
A devout Catholic, she raised funds to build St. Albert the Great parish.
Born with a green thumb, Helen transformed her backyard into a garden that would make any gardening editor jealous.
Politicos will tell us there was not a more stylish lawn sign installer. She was elegance personified in her immaculate white Cadillac stuffed with Reform Party of Canada lawn signs, and a sledgehammer for good measure. Helen was always the picture of elegance.
She is survived by her beloved husband, five children, 11 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
A wonderful life has now returned to the Kingdom of God. Helen lived life doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways.