1922-2026
It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Helen Viola Wood (nee Harrigan) on February 6, 2026, at the age of 103. Helen was born in Huntingdon, Quebec on September 9, 1922. Helen was predeceased by her parents, George Harrigan and Florence Boyd, her loving husband John Wood, sisters Doris, Phyllis, Bernice and Jean (late Roger) and brothers Warren, Melvin (Ruth Brown) and Kenny. She leaves to mourn her sisters Lois (late Brad), Myrna (late Yves) and many nieces, nephews, colleagues and friends. After graduating high school, Helen worked as a teacher before moving to Montreal in 1945 to work in the Horticultural Department at MacDonald College in Sainte-Anne-de- Bellevue. In 1946, Helen transitioned to become the secretary to Dr. Sinclair Laird, Dean of Education. Dr. Laird was the first of eight deans Helen worked for at MacDonald College during her 43-year career. She was greatly respected, appreciated and admired for her capacity for work, and for her dedication to MacDonald College. Dr. Roger Buckland, her eighth dean, upon her retirement, shared the key to her success: see all, hear all, and say nothing! Helen was highly educated, having earned two degrees (Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts) from Sir George Williams University, which she obtained while working full- time. After retiring, Helen lived in Ottawa for several years before returning in her later years to live in Baie D’Urfe. Helen was soft-spoken, discrete, and possessed a calm demeanor and quick wit. In her early years at MacDonald, she was part of a fun-loving, energetic and sports minded group of people who worked and lived on campus. They went on skiing excursions to St-Jovite in winter and to a cottage in the Laurentians in the summer. In her later years, Helen traveled extensively around the world, well into her late 90’s, with a deep passion for cruises, especially to the Caribbean. Helen had an inquisitive mind and a lifelong love of theatre, the arts, animals and cultivating strong and lasting friendships. She was an avid reader and writer and was deeply loyal to her close friends and family. She was a kind, generous and giving person who always took time to be there for others, to listen, to talk, to care and to understand. She was always moving, had a great sense of humor, loved adventure and had an enormous capacity for empathy and wisdom. She led a well-lived life, was deeply loved by many, and will be greatly missed. Funeral entrusted to Rodrique Montpetit et Fils Inc. 170 Chateauguay St., Huntingdon, Quebec J0S 1H0 450-264-5331. Funeral service will take place in the spring with burial at the Huntingdon Protestant Cemetery. Online condolences and tributes may be made at www.rodriguemontpetitfils.com