Obituary of Helen Righi

Helen was born June 27, 1926 in Nipawin, SK to Thomas and Mary Ellen Craven. She passed away suddenly on March 26, 2012. Upon completion of high school, Helen went to Normal School in Saskatoon, SK. A year later, she got her first teaching job and rented a room at the Righi family farm, where she met her future husband. On July 7, 1948 she married Earl Righi in Aylsham, SK. They had two children - Diane and Wendy. They farmed until 1961, then moved to Nipawin and opened a bicycle shop for a short time. They then opened a sewing centre -Helen ran a fabric store while Earl sold and fixed sewing machines. In 1969, they sold the store and moved to Armley until 1973. The family moved again in 1973 to Fort McMurray, AB. Helen worked part-time at a sewing centre, while Earl worked shifts at GCOS (now Suncor). After Diane and Wendy graduated, Helen and Earl moved to Lacombe for a year before settling down in Mirror for 23 years. Their last move was to Daysland in 2001, so they could be closer to their grandchildren. In her younger years, Helen loved to play sports - particularly curling and softball, and always took pride in her garden as well. After they moved to Mirror, she also took up golfing. When Earl retired he took up golfing as well, and they rarely missed a day on the golf course after that! She talked often of their camping trips, fishing or golfing their way through several provinces! Another great love was to play cards - to her last day she was always looking for a card game! Helen will be greatly missed by her family - Diane (Ken)Vanslyke of Daysland, Wendy (Grant)Creasy of Lacombe, and three grandchildren - Trevor (Lianne), Kevin, and Lynne; and brother Merle (Beulah). She was predeceased by her husband Earl, parents Thomas and Mary Ellen, brothers Stuart, Elmer and Lyle, and sister Bernice. A funeral service was held on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. from the Daysland Community Hall with Mary Ann Pastuck officiating. Inurnment followed in the Daysland Cemetery. If friends so desire memorial contributions are gratefully accepted to the Daysland Hospital Foundation or Providence Place Daysland.