Obituary

Helen passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Groves Memorial Hospital, Fergus on February 10, 2021, in her 79th year. Wife and loving partner of John Broadfoot for 58 years. Mother to daughters Denise (Paul) Kankainen, Kim (Chris) Chooi and Marney (Jim) Swanston. Grandmother to Tasha & Troy Chooi, Jessica & Justin Swanston and John Paul Kankainen, Great Grandmother to Aaliyah Bergman. Mom to the lost kitten daughters Dianne (Ron) Speed, Mary (Greg) Mennie and Jennifer Craig. Sister to Jack (Kathy) Doughty, David Doughty, Fran Wills, Joyce (Claude) Johnson and Deloris Doughty. Aunt to many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents Herb & Pearl Doughty, Marlene McGladrey, Doug Wills, Charlene Doughty and Jack & Dorothy Broadfoot. Sister-in-law to Dave & Val Broadfoot. Helen was a graduate of Nursing College as a Registered Nursing Assistant in 1962 and worked at Groves Memorial Hospital right out of College. She worked for Dr. Cassimjee for many years. She also worked alongside John on the family dairy farm for many years. Lover of all animals, big or small (mice, birds, pigeons, rabbits, kittens), she nursed them all. Helen was strongly involved in the community, belonging to clubs such as: the Elora Optimist Club, the Alma Optimist Club, and the Wellington 4-H Association (Club Leader). A great passion for Mom was working as a secretary for Farm Safety, with whom she was a strong advocate for many years, participating in safety days, school visits and open houses. She also spent many years as a secretary for the Fergus Junior Farmers’ Association, which lead to Mom and Dad’s love of square dancing, which then took them to the top as Ontario Champions. Friends will be received at the Graham A. Giddy Funeral Home & Chapel, 280 St. David Street South in Fergus, on Sunday, February 21st, 2021 from 2:00 to 6:00pm. Visitors must RSVP through our website and masks are mandatory. Private family service to be held, with interment at Belsyde Cemetery in Fergus. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Helen Broadfoot are asked to consider the Alma Optimist Club, Farm Safety or the Fergus Fall Fair.