Helen Swestun

Obituary of Helen Lillian Swestun

Swestun, Helen Lillian (nee Archer)


It is with saddened hearts, but wonderful memories, that we announce the passing of our dearly loved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, Helen Swestun.


Helen passed peacefully on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at the Village on the Ridge at the age of 93. 


She was born in Chatham on March 25, 1927, daughter of the late Frederick & Lillian (nee Volkes) Archer and has lived in Chatham all of her life, farming beside her late husband, John (1983).


Loving mother of Jan Green and husband Don of Chatham and the late Karen Swestun (1999). 


She will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Nicole & Derek Quigley of Chatham, Chris & Kathleen Green of Dorchester and Carly Green of Chatham. 


Great-grandma to Kyrah, Malcom and Teagen Quigley, who she cherished her visits with as they played in the courtyard at the Village. 


Helen will be sorely missed by her sister-in-law, Mary Baillargeon, Olga Glogowski, brother-in-law, Bill and Sharon Swestun, all of Chatham. She is predeceased by her sisters, Doris McIlhargey, Alice Oulds, brother-in-laws, Ed Glogowski, Herbert Oulds, Leo McIlhargey, Earl Baillargeon, and her infant brother, Frederick Archer Jr. She will be missed by several nieces and nephews. 


Helen will be remembered for her hours of volunteering at the hospital, Meadow Park Nursing Home and over 20 years at the Active Lifestyle Centre. She loved to alley and lawn bowl in her younger years, and always liked a good game of cards. Her famous cookies were always a hit with her grandchildren. She loved to travel and spent many years with her daughter and family in Florida. Most recently, she enjoyed the activities at the Village on the Ridge, where she did not like to miss table bowling or a bingo. 


A special thank you to Dr. Len Prins and all of the staff at the Village on the Ridge for the exceptional care and compassion given to Mom over the last two years. 


A Private Family Visitation and Service to take place with Cremation to follow.

A Recording of the Funeral Service may be viewed through the following Link: CLICK HERE


Online condolences may be left for the family and donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation through the Funeral Home website (www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com). 

McKinlay Funeral Home
459 St. Clair Street
Chatham
519 351 2040

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