Florence Helen Chandler (nee McBain)

Helen, our beloved Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2017 in her 90th year. She was an exceptional woman, raising eight children with the love of her life, Joe. They met at Malvern Collegiate and soon married in 1946, building our family home in Scarborough where she continued to live independently until January of this year when she had a stroke. Dad called her the heart and soul of the family and “his rock”. She was a selfless woman who loved her family and did whatever she could for them. We loved her completely.

When Dad took early retirement, they became active members of The West Scarborough Seniors Club. The club became a more important part of her life when she was widowed at 62 and she became a regular at cards and carpet bowling until her stroke. She loved to travel in her retirement years and enjoyed trips across North America and beyond. But it was her special times with her family that made her happiest and despite her busy life her favourite place was home. With more free time, she avidly followed the news and thoroughly read the Toronto Star and completed the daily crossword and puzzles.

Helen is predeceased by her husband Joseph Peter Chandler, mother Margaret MacKay, father Burton McBain, and sister Constance McBain. She is survived and lovingly remembered by her brother Ronald McBain (Anna) and her eight children Carole Sisto (Carmen), Joe, Steve, Ted (Eva), Robert (Nancy), Connie (Gaston), Veronica (Norm), Richard (Clara) and her ten grandchildren; Jesse (Danielle), Jamie (Lina), Jennifer (Brian), Jeffrey (Sharlene), Alex, Hollis, Ryan, Danielle, Courtney (Rachel) and Heidi. Her four great-grandchildren; Isaac, Jeremy, Nicholas and Emma held a special place in her heart.

Helen’s friendliness and welcoming smile will be missed and fondly remembered by her extended family, special friends Susan and Dorothy, the congregation at St. Bede’s Anglican Church and friends at The West Scarborough Seniors Club. The family would like to thank those who supported Mom in her recovery at Bridgepoint Health Centre until a recently discovered cancer changed everything and she moved to the Palliative Care Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital where those who cared for her provided peace and comfort in her final days. We extend special appreciation to her personal caregivers who compassionately supported Mom; especially Felicia, Choenyi and Samantha.

Family and friends will be received at Pine Hills Cemetery and Funeral Centre (625 Birchmount Rd., north of St. Clair Ave. E., Scarborough, 416-267-8229), on Tuesday July 25, 2017 from 4-8 p.m. and on Wednesday July 26 , 2017 from 12-1. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday at 1:00 am with Interment and Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.