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Helen Armitage (Hagel)
April 8, 1930 - August 20, 2016
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<div itemprop="description">ARMITAGE, HELEN (Hagel) <br> <br>April 8, 1930 – August 20, 2016 <br>We would never be ready to say goodbye, and Mom’s determination allowed us to hold off on that for many years. We are grateful that her struggles with her health ended peacefully when we lost her mortal presence on Saturday, August 20th at the age of 86. Born in Beiseker, AB on April 8, 1930 to the late Edward and Frances Hagel, Helen Rose Armitage was known as Helena to the Receiver General only, but to many “legit” and “adopted” she was known as Mom. She was a collector, but her favorite collection by far was “children” who called her Mom that she could share her love and wisdom with - whether asked for or not. Officially Mom to Jim (Bonnie Schadeck) Armitage, Susan Wylie, Rob (Heather) Armitage, Don Armitage, Sandra (Kevin) Graf and Glenna Armitage; grandmother to Ryan (Erin), Chad, Dallas, Christopher, Owen, Isaac and great-grandmother to 6 along with numerous nieces and nephews, those she referred to as “Helen’s Herd”, and special friends. <br>We won’t say that she was stubborn, but Mom certainly had the Virtue of Determination, something needed with 2 sisters, Mary (John) and Selma and 8 brothers, Louis (Anna Mary), Ed (Julia), Francis, Raymond (Eva), Pat (Jean), Rev. Jim Hagel, Leonard (Lucille), Donald, and Rev. Martin Hagel. <br>She graduated from Beiseker High School in 1949 and attended the University of Western Ontario for a year before returning home to help her ailing parents. January of 1951 she moved to Calgary to attend Calgary Business College. In 1952 she married Don Morrow, adopting an infant boy, Don Jr., and found herself widowed in 1963. Helen became a working mother and supported her and her young son utilizing her secretarial skills. On November 20, 1970 she married widower Glen Armitage and became an instant mother to another 4 children (Jim, Susan, Rob and Sandra). Later, Glenna was born completing the “yours, mine and ours”. As a farmer’s wife Mom fed the summer crews hot meals, always had an eye out for berries and apples to pick, and supported Glen with the bookkeeping and banking. <br>Mom enjoyed scheming, designing and sewing Halloween costumes for many years. With Glen she enjoyed traveling on some great adventures until he passed away in 2006. Closer to home she was active with volunteering in the community (CWL, DTHR Voluntary Association, Sacred Heart Parish, and the Shady Nook Community to name a few). She was a storyteller and enjoyed sharing humor throughout her life. In her later years Mom got pleasure out of teaching others how to bake. <br>Among Mom’s things, indicating that she was ready even though we were not, she had left the following note requesting that her obituary read; “Do not wear black to my funeral - please wear color. God gave us color to take us out of the dark. I hope to be in color when I meet Him, as sent on by those in color delivering over my mortal remains.” <br>Prayers will be held at Eventide Funeral Chapel, 4820 - 45th Street, Red Deer AB on Monday August 29, 2016 at 7:00 pm. A Public Funeral Mass will be con-celebrated by The Reverend Jozef Wroblewski and the Reverend Father Jim Hagel at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 5508 - 48 A Avenue, Red Deer, AB on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 11:00 am. A Public Internment will be held at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Red Deer, Alberta on Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 3:00 pm. <br>As the Hospice Home was very near and dear to her heart, if friends desire, Memorial Donations in Helen’s honour may be made directly to the Red Deer Hospice Society, 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4R 3S6 (403) 309-4344. <br> <br> <br></div>