Helen Laflamme

Helen Louise Laflamme, beloved, passed into eternity to be with Jesus on March 28th at the Lakeshore Hospital. She was 92 years old and had just joyfully celebrated her 92nd birthday with family.

Helen, (my mom) was a retired Nurse from the Jewish Convalescent Hospital in Chomedy. Helen was born Helen Louise Laflamme, on March 13, 1930, in Montreal, Quebec to Parents Lionel and Aline Laflamme. Being the eldest she quickly became a caretaker of her younger siblings. It was natural for her to put others first, she was the epitome of love and selflessness, her whole life.

Helen always loved the West Coast and the ocean. Her dream came true when she found a nursing job in California. There, she met Richard Leon Swift and they married in 1965. In her later years she flourished as a nurse back in her hometown of Montreal. She retired from nursing in 1992. After retirement she volunteered for Hospice as it was always her nature to be there and care for others. Even after retirement, she found a way.

Everyone knew Helen and even those who just met her, described her as the most caring, kind, loving, generous and compassionate person. Helen also had a great sense of humor and loved being around other people.

Helen also had a passion for Gardening and a fantastic green thumb. None could hold a candle to her cooking and hospitality. Everything had to be perfect and it always was. She made you feel relaxed in her home as she served you. Her warm outgoing and positive personality touched countless people. She was a host to many pastors and evangelists from Around the world, in her home. She loved God, had a strong faith and love for her Church, The Potters House Montreal, and the parishioners in it. Helen was instrumental in Pioneering that church with her son and daughter-in-law and two Grandchildren. She was a member of that congregation from 2004 until her passing.

Helen is survived by her Four children, Diane, Denise, Jamie and Richard and three grandchildren, Catherine, Shania and Jeremy. She is also survived by her four siblings, Marie, Alice, John and Raymond. Helen passed into eternity with her loving family at her bedside after succumbing to a long battle of heart disease.

She will be missed greatly and we can’t wait to be reunited with her, in Heaven.