Dr. Helen Elizabeth Butterworth (nee Dewar) It is with heavy hearts, we announce the death of Helen Elizabeth Butterworth (nee Dewar) on August 3, 2025, at the age of 51. Helen truly lived her “best life” over the past 4.5 years, after being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in Feb 2021. In this short time, she checked everything off of her bucket list including seeing the Northern Lights in Yellowknife, attending Zoe’s convocation from university, celebrating her 50th birthday, visiting the West Edmonton Mall, celebrating more than one magical Christmas with family, and taking trips with family to New Brunswick, Barbados, Antigua, and Mexico. She is so thankful to her husband, Andrew, for putting his life on hold to make all these wishes a reality. After selling her dental practice, Helen was able to buy a cottage and host many friend and family getaways. And, after a lifetime of saying “no” to a dog, she fell in love with our newest family member , Hugo. Most of all, Helen made it a priority to spend lots of time with family and friends, and strived to create as many memories as she could for her loved ones to cherish. While Helen would have loved so much to see Graham graduate, attend her children’s weddings, become a grandparent, and grow old with Andrew, she understood that was not going to be her future. She is no longer in pain, no longer tired. She is truly at rest, and thankful for everything in life that God blessed her with. Helen was born on May 3, 1974 in Ajax, ON. She grew up in Whitby attending F.M Heard P.S, Whitby Senior/Leslie McFarlane, and Anderson C.V.I. She attended the University of Western Ontario, followed by dental school at the University of Toronto where she graduated as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. She practiced dentistry in Port Perry and Whitby until she opened her own dental office, Coldstream Dental, in Oshawa in 2007. Helen was always grateful for her blessings and thanked God every day for all that she was given in life. She was always quick to point out, however, that her biggest accomplishment and joy, was her role as wife and mother. Helen is survived by her husband of almost 25 years, Andrew Butterworth, children Zoe Butterworth and Graham Butterworth, parents Jennifer and Iain (nee John) Dewar, sister Carolyn Dewar, and in-laws Judi and Bob Butterworth , as well as a loving extended family and many friends. In lieu of flowers, Helen asks that you please look after each other, be kind to everyone, continue to check in on her family, and consider a donation to Ovarian Cancer Canada. Ovarian Cancer research is underfunded relative to other cancers. A tool for early detection, as well as newer, long lasting treatments, are desperately needed. Ovarian Cancer Canada is spearheading these initiatives, while providing support to those newly diagnosed. Alternatively, a donation to the RS McLaughlin Durham Regional Cancer Centre would also be greatly appreciated. Until you have been through treatment, you can’t begin to understand how important it is to have a treatment centre close to home. Having the DRCC in Durham region is a HUGE benefit. Taking away the need to commute to Toronto when you are not feeling well increases quality of life substantially. Helen received outstanding care at the DRCC, from the doctors to the nurses to the volunteers and lab techs. Donations to the DRCC in Helen’s name would be greatly appreciated. Finally, End Polio Now (an initiative run by Rotary International) has also been a cause always close to Helen’s heart. Helen’s Papa had Polio as a child, and she was a strong advocate for Rotary’s work to eradicate polio worldwide. If you would prefer to honour Helen in a non-monetary way, please consider donating blood. Since being diagnosed with treatment-related leukemia, blood transfusions have kept Helen alive for the past year. Blood –“ it is in you to give” – and really will give someone that “one more day or week or month” with their loved ones.
We would like to thank Helen’s doctors for their care. At the DRCC, Drs. Francis, Smerdon, and Kopolovic, and at Princess Margaret, Drs. Bouchard Fortier, Yee, and Oza. They all did everything they could to give Helen the best chance at a quality life. Finally, thanks and praise go to God, for guiding Helen’s surgeon’s hands and giving her doctors the wisdom to make the right decisions. Helen feels her prayers were answered and that she was granted many miracles along this journey, allowing her to have good quality of life beyond her predicted prognoses.
Helen is hoping that many of you are able to attend her final farewell, even if it has been a while since you’ve seen her. The details are as follows:

St. Thomas Anglican Church, 101 Winchester Rd. E. Brooklin, ON
Friday, August 8, 2025,
Visitation at 12:00 PM and
Funeral at 2:00 PM with
Reception after at church.
Private interment with family after reception.