White Smith (McClure), Helen Margaret

Helen Margaret White Smith (McClure)

Helen was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on February 13, 1928 and passed away April 17, 2022 peacefully.

Helen completed her education in her home town and had an interesting and varied work history.  She trained as a Nursery Nurse with the Public Health Department in Edinburgh, and then taught in a Nursery School.   She also worked for a Dental Surgeon, but most interesting job was as secretary at the Scottish Ballet School – such tales she could tell!! She then moved south to London, England to work for the Canadian Government in Ontario House.  She was also employed by the Royal Bank of Scotland, where she met her future husband David McClure.

After emigrating to Canada in 1953, she was employed by the CIBC in Chilliwack, BC, Calgary, AB and Windsor, ON.  Along the way she also worked a short spell with the Bay in Calgary and then with Halliburton Oil Co. until she married and started to raise her family.  In 1979 she and the children moved to Nelson, where she then worked for the Medical Associate Clinic and finally the Nelson Credit Bureau until retirement.

Helen made two extended trips back to Scotland with her children, where they had an opportunity to connect with family, and attend school in both Edinburgh and York and learn more of their Scottish heritage.

Predeceased by her parents, James and Greta Smith, Edinburgh, Scotland, brother and sister-in-law Tam and Nancy Smith, York, England and nephew Mark Smith, Sheffield, England.

Left to remember her are her son, Craig McClure, Mackenzie, BC her daughter, Shiel McClure along with grandsons Cody and Marshall Rush, all of Blackfalds, AB niece Clare (Richard) Gray, Spain, nephew Grant Smith, York, England as well as numerous cousins and friends scattered around the world.

Helen enjoyed music – from Pavorotti to Abba, reading, baking and travel with geographic shows being a great source of pleasure.  Time spent with family was precious to Helen, and she considered herself truly blessed to have had such wonderful friends throughout her life.  She regularly kept in touch with letters and phone calls.  She was known for her sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or Spina Bifida, or the charity of your choice.

Please join her family at a Memorial on Saturday, May 14, 2022 from 11:00-2:00 at the Hume Hotel in Nelson, BC with her ashes being taken back to Scotland at a later date.