Helen Tagami of Nelson B.C. passed away at Nelson Jubilee Manor on November 27, 2012 at the age of 90. Helen was born in Verigin, Saskatchewan on September 15, 1922 to Edward and Helen Antifaeff. Helen was predeceased by her parents, her older brother Mike, husband George Planiden, and husband Suyeo Tagami. She is survived by her brother John Antifaeff, sister Katie Derhousoff, and her children Cedric (Sandy) Planiden, Loretta (Fred) Strukoff, George (Mona) Planiden, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, family members and friends.
Hers was a gentle spirit that beat in the heart of a courageous survivor. But then, that is what one could expect after spending her early years on the harsh prairies in southern Saskatchewan. When Helen was 12, the family moved to B.C., settling first in Glade. In her teens she spent the summers fruit picking in the Proctor/Harrop area. After the family moved to Blewett, she married George Planiden in 1940 and they had three children. After George’s death in 1961, she married Suyeo Tagami in 1968 and moved to Nelson.
Helen loved her flower gardens. She and Suyeo always had a wonderful vegetable garden until he passed away in 2010. She loved to knit and sew, keeping her family well supplied with colourful blankets, slippers, socks and mittens.
Dementia would partner with her in her later years, but surprisingly, it never affected her amazing positive nature or her wonderful sense of humour. She was well cared for at Nelson Jubilee Manor, and especially by her niece Marlene Derhousoff, who faithfully visited every Thursday, bringing goodies, bouquets of flowers and good cheer. Helen was content in her surroundings... maybe for once in her life she had nothing to worry about, and if she did, it didn’t last long.
Thank you to Dr. Janz and all the special caring staff at Nelson Jubilee Manor. Also, many thanks to all the family and friends who provided Helen’s family love and support during this difficult time.
She will be sadly missed by those who loved her dearly.
A Funeral Service was held at the Chapel of
Thompson Funeral Service Ltd., 613 Ward Street, Nelson on Tuesday, December 4th, 2012 at 10:00 AM with a reception following at the Best Western Hotel, 153 Baker Street, Nelson.
Online condolences may be expressed at
www.thompsonfs.ca
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Thompson Funeral Service Ltd.