Obituary of Helen Grant

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Helen Ruth Grant, age 96, which occurred at the Sussex Health Centre, on Friday, November 10, 2023. She was born in Henderson Settlement, NB, on June 7, 1927, the daughter of the late Leonard and Margaret (Henderson) Vail and wife of the late Jack Grant.

Mom was twelve when she left home and went to work at Simms Brush Factory in Saint John.  She stayed at Chrisholm’s where she did housework to pay off her board. Her uncle would make sure that she got home every other weekend, or she came by bus to Norton. She had very little in today’s standards and gave most of her money to her parents. She met the love of her life, Jack Grant, who she married October 17, 1945, after courting for three short months. They built their house in The Grant, with the help of her father, when a keg of nails was $10, and a window was $12. The house soon became too small with three young children, so they bought their place in Belleisle in 1956, where they welcomed two more children. They worked hard to make it theirs and life wasn’t always easy.

Over the years Mom was Dad’s go to person. They had woodsmen who stayed at their home, which meant lots of extra cooking and cleaning to be done. Mom was always busy at something. She made plum jelly, pickles, grew a garden, raised pigs, milked cows, hayed…. there wasn’t much she didn’t do. She would get her wood in, go on her 4-wheeler over to the ponds and even at 88 years young, she drug a ladder through the snow to get up on the roof to clear the snow off of her satellite dish so she could watch the news, then call and say “no need to come up, I’ve got it done”.  Mom loved to still be able to mow her lawn at 96 years old. She enjoyed her flower gardens, being outside and sitting with her priceless dog Penny on her lap. Mom was always calling to check in and see what everyone was up to. Mom taught us all well to be kind to others and to give more than you receive. She gave the love that she carried deep in her heart every time you saw her. She was never loud, had a calm quiet voice and was always ready to listen and never judge. Mom was a very gentle soul who took such great care of Dad. She was so comfortable and content to be able to stay in her own little happy place for 96 years. The hugs were endless…. just ask Dr. Green.

We’d like to thank all the caregivers and neighbors who kept a watchful eye and helped Mom over the years. Mom was devoted to her faith and will be deeply missed.

Treasure your times with family, because as Mom would say “It's time well spent!”

Helen is survived by her children: Ruth and Albert Jacobs of Westfield, Dave and Ina Grant of Hatfield Point, Marjorie and Ivan Neill of Springfield, Rick and Charlene Grant of Hatfield Point, Bonnie and Manfred Brauns of Sussex; grandchildren Becky, Jennifer, Jaime, Stephanie, Ben, Vance, Mike, Naomi, Ginny, Tyler, Chelsey, and Louwill; great grandchildren Jacob, Kate, Lucy, Brooke, Blake, Dylan, Abigail, Brandon, Erika, Sarah, Connor, Peyton, Sami, Cohan, Jayme, Owen, Hayden, Emma, Sean, Jill, Ryan, Megan, Jackson, Logan, Gabe, Violet, Seth, Marley, Kendal, Andi; great-great-grandchildren: Lincoln and Hazel;  along with several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, Helen was also predeceased by her sisters Mildred Woods, Marjorie Vail, Edith Woods and Kathleen Charlebois; brother Harold Vail.

Arrangements have entrusted to Sherwood’s Funeral Home, 18 Scovil Road, Norton, NB, (506-839-2156).  Visitation and funeral service will be held privately (Helen's nieces & nephews are welcomed at Sherwood's Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 14 at 12:00PM).  Private family interment will take place in Bayview Cemetery.  However, there will be a memorial service at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah Witnesses (1155 Main Street, Sussex Corner) on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 2:00PM.

Donations in memory of Helen may be made to Bayview Cemetery or to the memorial of the donor’s choice. Condolences to the family and donations may be made through SherwoodsFuneralHome.com