It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Helen McLaren MacCallum (Young).
Helen passed peacefully on Tuesday October 31st just weeks before her 100th birthday at her residence in Toronto.
Helen was born to Margaret and James Young on November 24 1923 in Toronto. She was educated in Toronto attending Humewood Public School and then Vaughan Road Collegiate in the township of York. After graduating, Helen worked as an Executive Administrative Assistant in Toronto.
Helen married Duncan MacCallum who she had met during a visit to Scotland. Helen often referred to Duncan as her best friend. They initially resided in East York as a couple. They moved briefly to Ottawa before transitioning to Halifax Nova Scotia where they took up permanent residences. Duncan passed away after a lengthy illness but Helen remained in Halifax which had become home and where they had developed many friendships and professional associations.

Helen excelled in her profession as an Administrative Assistant with the Hardman Group. Her supreme organizational and communication skills were well recognized and a source of great pride for Helen. Helen genuinely wanted to help others and being thorough was her way of being a great friend and colleague. Helen enjoyed her travels with the Professional Secretaries Association which took her to many cities in Canada and the US. Despite her world travels, Helen would always say she enjoyed the Canadian East Coast way of life.

In retirement Helen continued with her altruistic ways and volunteered at the Bide Awhile Animal Shelter. It is here Helen discovered cats and their mysteriously illogical behavior that, at first, confounded her but soon she accepted their capricious nature and allowed the cats to train her. Helen was also a regular at her church, Stairs Memorial United Church, and made many lasting friendships. She was involved in many organizations within the Church and volunteered her time and services for the betterment of all members of the congregation.
Although modest and reserved by nature, Helen demonstrated risk taking by taking pilot lessons and acquiring her small plane pilot’s license. She was a member of the local flying club in Halifax where, once again, she made many friends.
Helen was a proud Canadian as well as being a staunch Monarchist. Helen took great pride in her Scottish heritage and made numerous trips to her ancestral home over the years. One could always count on Helen to provide historical information on the Young and MacCallum clans and she maintained ongoing communication with members of her extended family over the pond.
Helen is survived by her brother James (Jim) Young, her nephew Gary Young and his wife Tina Young, niece Dianne Best (nee Young) and late nephew- in-law Ian, nephew James Young and partner Amber Choudhry. She is also remembered by great nephews and nieces James, Lauren, Jonathan, Jamie, Samantha and Brody along with Audrey. She will also be kept in good memory by cousins and relatives in Scotland.