Helen GIGLIOTTI

She was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Arthur; her brother, John Hislop; her sister, Inga Turner; and her feline companion of many years, Snoop.

She is survived by her sons, Jarrod (Leona) and Ryan (Monique); grandchildren, Zachary, Domonick, and Josephine; sister, Sheila Bergen; nieces and nephews: Bobby, Carol, Dorothy, Joyce, Dana, Dustin, and Danny.

Helen’s story began in Montreal, Quebec, where she grew up in an English-speaking enclave of the borough of Verdun. She spent her youth swimming and enjoying the vibrant lifestyle of the big city—especially the summer she spent at Expo 67 at the age of 17. Although she was a city girl, she often spoke fondly of visits to the countryside and cherished the maple forests of Eastern Canada, especially their spectacular explosion of colour each fall.

Her life changed forever when she visited family “out West,” originally intending to continue on to Japan. During a summer stop in Fernie to visit her sister Inga, she attended the Coal Creek Picnic—where she met her future husband, Art. The picnic became a beloved family tradition, where she and Art would bring their sons, Jarrod and Ryan, to enjoy fishing, mountain climbing, horseshoes, and, always, a bucket of Dixie Lee chicken. Like many visitors to Fernie, Helen never left, settling in the Annex, raising her family, and later watching them move to Lethbridge and Chicago to start families of their own.

In her later years, Helen was blessed with her greatest joy—her grandchildren. She never missed a chance to have them nearby, and like all children (and animals) she met, they adored being around Nana.

Helen will be remembered by her family and friends as a strong, stoic realist who valued tradition, responsibility, and accountability—yet never took those things too seriously. Her guidance, honesty, and warmth will be deeply missed.