Helene Rita MCCONNELL

FILION, Helene Rita (nee McConnell) July 6, 1920 - March 28, 2008 Helene Rita Filion passed away peacefully at the Peter Lougheed Centre in Calgary on Friday, March 28, 2008 after a brief illness. Helene was born in Montreal on July 6, 1920. As a girl she loved to dance and was recognized for her excellence in Irish dancing. Helene was married to Leo Filion on July 20, 1946. She worked in the office of her riding's Member of Parliament in Verdun. Helene moved to Calgary in May 2000 to be closer to her daughter and grandsons. Helene will be remembered as a strongly independent, outgoing and caring woman who easily made friends wherever she went. She is predeceased by her husband Leo, parents John and Catherine, brother Jim and sisters Winnifred and Katie. Her memory will be cherished by her daughter Johanne (Ken), grandsons Chris (Jennifer), Cameron (Michelle), Brent (Carla), Glen and her first great-grandchild to be born later this year. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY'S Eastside Memorial Chapel (5388 Memorial Drive N.E.) today, March 31, 2008 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Mark's Catholic Church (5552 Madigan Drive N.E.) on Tuesday, April 1 at 10:30 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com . As an expression of sympathy in Helene's memory the family requests that in lieu of flowers people may make a donation to the Alberta Lung Association, P.O. Box 4500, Station South, Edmonton, AB T6E 6K2 (Telephone 1-888-566-5864, www.ab.lung.ca ). Helene's family would like to thank her special friends at Sunrise Point for their loving care and support; Dr. Stassen and staff of the Peter Lougheed Centre's Unit 54 for their compassionate care as well as the doctors and staff of Unit 44 for caring for Johanne during her stay there. In living memory of Helene Filion, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Eastside Memorial Chapel, 5388 MEMORIAL DRIVE N.E. Telephone: 403-248-8585. Published in the Calgary Herald from 3/30/2008 - 3/31/2008