Briggs, Helen

BRIGGS – Helen Briggs, age 98 years of Eastend, Saskatchewan and formerly of Claydon, died on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at Eastend Wolf Willow Health Centre following a short illness.
Helen was born on the family farm in the Staynor Hall District, Sask. on September 12, 1916. She received her education at South Ridge School. She then began helping her parents on the farm. Helen began working in the spring of 1935 for the Ostlund family at Eastend as a housekeeper. In 1937 she went to work for the Gilchrist Ranch at Wild Horse where she cooked for 15-20 men. This is where she met Lenord Briggs and they were married at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church in Eastend on August 18, 1938. They continued to work for the Gilchrists until 1946 when they moved to Claydon where they started farming and ranching on their own.
She and Lenord retired and moved to Eastend in 1972. Helen continued to be community minded, involved with the Activity Centre, dances, card playing and pool. She was an avid gardener who took pride in her yard. She was always very helpful to others and her home was always open. She was a member of the CWL, the Claydon Ladies Club, the Eastend Cemetery League and the Eastend Senior Citizens. She enjoyed quilting.
Helen was predeceased by her husband Lenord on May 18, 1991, her parents Ludwik and Michalina Samoleski, nine sisters, one brother, four sisters-in-law and 12 brothers-in-law.
She is survived by her four children Donald Briggs of Shaunavon, Colleen Fryer (Bev) of Maple Creek, Herbert Briggs (Arlene) of Maple Creek, and Monica Padavel (Fred) of Edmonton, Alberta; six grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, five great great grandchildren, her sister Frances Courouble (Charlie) of Swift Current, her brother Clarence Samoleski of Claydon, three sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law as well as by numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. from St. Patrick’s R.C. Church in Eastend with Reverend Father John Mock officiating. The eulogy was presented by Marilyn Nelson. Interment took place at Riverside Cemetery at Eastend. Binkley’s Funeral Service of Shaunavon (www.Binkleys.com) was in charge of the arrangements.
Pallbearers were Helen’s grandchildren.

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