Obituary of Helen Mary Sabin

Helen Mary Sabin, formally of Edmonton, passed away at the Beverly Care Centre, Lake Midnapore on Thursday, February 26, 2004 at the age of 87 years. Helen was born in Victoria, BC on July 13, 1916 to Mary and Carl Garfield. The family including her twin, Nettie (Pedlar) and her younger sister Lillian (McLellan), moved to Irricana, AB in 1918. Helen and Nettie graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Nursing from the University of Alberta in 1938. While working as a district nurse in Winfield, AB, Helen met Clayton Sabin who she married in 1942. Helen’s accomplishments in the field of nursing were numerous. In addition to community nursing she was a great nursing leader. She was the Executive Director of the Alberta Association of Registered Nurses for seventeen years. Helen was honoured for her contributions to nursing by being granted an Alberta Achievement Award in 1976 and an Honorary Doctorate in Nursing from Athabasca University in 1993. Although Helen’s career was important to her, it did hold a second place to the value she placed on human relationships. She loved her family and friends and devoted herself to them. Her grandchildren were a source of great pride. They will always remember the fun they had with Helen – at age seventy-five she taught them to play baseball, was always ready to cuddle with a story when they were young and as they grew, loved to listen to their accomplishments and accounts of their days. People who were touched by Helen were truly blessed by her warmth, concern and wisdom. She is survived by sisters, Nettie Pedlar and Lillian (Jim) McLellan; a daughter and son-in-law, Lorraine and Rod Mohr; grandchildren, Kaylee, Kevin and Sarah; as well as nieces and nephews, Georgiana McDavid, Mary Hays, Dick Pedlar, Bruce McLellan, Janet Sandahl, and a loving extended family. Helen was predeceased by her husband Clayton in 1980. Funeral Services will be held at St. David’s United Church (3303 Capitol Hill Crescent N.W.) on Monday, March 1, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. To forward condolences go to www.mcinnisandholloway.com. If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Registered Nurses Educational Trust, Helen Sabin Memorial Scholarship, 11620 – 168 Street, Edmonton, AB T5M 4A6. In living memory of Helen Sabin, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., CALGARY, TELEPHONE: (403) 243-8200.