Obituary of Helen Albina Davidson

It is with heavy hearts that the family of the late Helen Abina Davidson announce her passing on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Millcove Nursing Home. Born in Coote Hill, NB on November 1, 1933, she was a daughter of the late Everett and Pearl (Mitchell) Graham.

What a beautiful and caring wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother Helen was. She was also an aunt and friend to all the family.

Helen was born in Coote Hill, Queens Co. and like all the family, she was born in the home at what is now “Camp Gagetown”. When the Government made it a military base, Helen’s mom and dad came to Dutch Valley and purchased a farm there.

Helen worked from a very young age. I remember she picked apples with her sister Lucy and Eldon at Dingey’s Apple Orchards in Gagetown – her first job. She was a beautiful girl. Every night, faithfully, her beautiful hair was set with so many bobby pin curls so that the next day she had perfectly flowing curly hair.

Her first adventure was when she and sister, Lucy, went to the “big city” of Saint John and rented an apartment on Duke St. Helen worked at the Riviera Restaurant on Charlotte St. for quite a few years. The girls always came home on the weekend when we were living in Sussex.

Sydney was away in Labrador working, where he bought his first truck. So, he often came to our home to visit Eldon (good excuse). Helen and Sydney were inseparable from then on. They had a beautiful wedding at the Waterford United Church on August 26, 1956.

Helen was a stay-at-home wife at their sweet home in Jeffries Corner, where they spent their entire life. What a fantastic housekeeper and cook Helen was, and their life was a very happy one. Sydney and Helen prospered and did very well over the years. Their happiest of times was when a sweet curly haired boy came into their lives named Ricky. After that, Helen’s and Sid’s lives revolved around their precious son.

Helen was a beauty and she always dressed stylishly like the queen that she was. Life was good. She loved spending her time in the flower garden or going to auctions and flea markets in search of additions to her beloved salt and pepper shaker and teacup collections. Mom looked forward to her weekly shopping sprees. She was also one who loved to travel, but Sid on the other hand, was more of a homebody. So, they managed to find their sweet spot of compromise when Helen would persuade him to at least go out for a Sunday drive.

In later years, Helen’s memory faded a bit and shortly after being hospitalized, moved on to the Millcove Nursing Home. There, she seemed very content and received excellent care.

A very helpful and generous soul Helen was! She was more than willing to help-out anyone and she certainly did a lot of that over her lifetime. Remember Helen as a kind, caring, and giving woman with a heart of gold.

Helen will live on in the hearts of her son, Rick Davidson (Patty) of Jeffries Corner, NB; her precious grandchildren: Jodi Black (Barret) and Trevor Davidson (Brittney); her great-grandchildren: Brielle, Gavin, Derek, Colton, and Casey; her sisters: Jessie Critchley of Sussex, NB and Blanche Scott of Calgary, AB; and her sister-in-law, Doris Graham of Sussex Corner, NB. Helen is also survived by her many nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Helen was predeceased by her husband, Sydney; her sisters: Olive Cruickshank and Lucy Francis; and her brother, Eldon.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff and volunteers at Millcove Nursing Home for their love and care through the years.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, NB (506-433-1176) from where a visitation will take place on Monday, March 11 from 11am-2pm. A celebration of Helen’s life will follow at 2:30pm from the Wallace Community Chapel.

Donations in memory of Helen may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through wallacefuneralhome.com