Obituary for Helen Toole
On March 29, 2021 Helen Joyce Toole - 77, Truro, lost her long and valiant battle with cancer. She was born June 20, 1943 to Olive (Lane) and William “Bill” Stevens. She was predeceased by her parents, a sister in infancy, her son Paul and her ex-husband and father of her children, Gordon Toole.
Mom was the oldest of three girls and is survived by Joan Stevens, Truro and Linda (Dave) Reardon, Comox, Vancouver Island.
Mom married at a very young age and was a stay-at-home mom raising her four children; Kelly (Donna) Toole, North River, Glenda (John) Cameron, Truro, James (Debbie Hoyt) Toole, Balmoral and Paul’s surviving partner, Donna MacCallum, Upper North River. She has four grandchildren who she was very proud of, Morgan (Jake Walters) Toole, Caley Cameron, Caitlyn (Nathaniel) MacBurnie and Patrick (Jenna) Cameron. Mom was very blessed to have had extra time to be able to meet her four great grandchildren who lovingly called her GiGi - Dax and Lux MacBurnie and Peyton and Jayde Cameron.
Twenty four years ago Mom met her very own earthly guardian angel, Alan MacKay. He has been her constant companion and vigilant care-giver ever since. He has been by her side through all the challenges and triumphs throughout the past eight and a half years since her battle with cancer began. Mom fought hard against this horrible disease and was blessed with these eight and a half extra years to enjoy life, love and family. No one has gone above and beyond, in his dedication and commitment to help care for and support her through it all, than Alan.
When we kids were grown mom’s life made a very big change. She had always wanted to drive a truck so she set out to do so. In a time and in a profession where it was unusual to see a woman driving an eighteen wheeler she succeeded. She had always been very grateful and thankful to Wes Armour for giving her the opportunity to work for his company where she was a loyal employee for Armour Transport for 24 years. She went on to become the first woman in the company to receive the Million Mile Safety Award. She was very proud of this accomplishment and continued to drive two million more miles before retirement. Mom thrived as a truck driver and loved the work and people and in return was loved and respected by her co-workers.
You could say we grew up poor according to today’s standards but we never really noticed. We always had food, clothing and a roof over our heads. Transportation, on the other hand, was rather sketchy. Mom’s dream was to be able to go to a Dodge Dealership and order exactly what she wanted in a brand spanking new truck. She got to realize this dream two years ago and was able to call the shiny new burgundy Dodge her very own. I don’t know if the color choice of the red vehicle was influenced by her dad, William or by her sons, Kelly and Paul but red is definitely family inspired.
Mom will be missed by her beloved cat “Tiggy”.
Mom has been cremated and will be laid to rest in the Watson Cemetery. Due to covid restrictions there will be no visitation or service at this time. A graveside service will be held at a later date.
“10-4 good buddy, over and out!”
Mom was the oldest of three girls and is survived by Joan Stevens, Truro and Linda (Dave) Reardon, Comox, Vancouver Island.
Mom married at a very young age and was a stay-at-home mom raising her four children; Kelly (Donna) Toole, North River, Glenda (John) Cameron, Truro, James (Debbie Hoyt) Toole, Balmoral and Paul’s surviving partner, Donna MacCallum, Upper North River. She has four grandchildren who she was very proud of, Morgan (Jake Walters) Toole, Caley Cameron, Caitlyn (Nathaniel) MacBurnie and Patrick (Jenna) Cameron. Mom was very blessed to have had extra time to be able to meet her four great grandchildren who lovingly called her GiGi - Dax and Lux MacBurnie and Peyton and Jayde Cameron.
Twenty four years ago Mom met her very own earthly guardian angel, Alan MacKay. He has been her constant companion and vigilant care-giver ever since. He has been by her side through all the challenges and triumphs throughout the past eight and a half years since her battle with cancer began. Mom fought hard against this horrible disease and was blessed with these eight and a half extra years to enjoy life, love and family. No one has gone above and beyond, in his dedication and commitment to help care for and support her through it all, than Alan.
When we kids were grown mom’s life made a very big change. She had always wanted to drive a truck so she set out to do so. In a time and in a profession where it was unusual to see a woman driving an eighteen wheeler she succeeded. She had always been very grateful and thankful to Wes Armour for giving her the opportunity to work for his company where she was a loyal employee for Armour Transport for 24 years. She went on to become the first woman in the company to receive the Million Mile Safety Award. She was very proud of this accomplishment and continued to drive two million more miles before retirement. Mom thrived as a truck driver and loved the work and people and in return was loved and respected by her co-workers.
You could say we grew up poor according to today’s standards but we never really noticed. We always had food, clothing and a roof over our heads. Transportation, on the other hand, was rather sketchy. Mom’s dream was to be able to go to a Dodge Dealership and order exactly what she wanted in a brand spanking new truck. She got to realize this dream two years ago and was able to call the shiny new burgundy Dodge her very own. I don’t know if the color choice of the red vehicle was influenced by her dad, William or by her sons, Kelly and Paul but red is definitely family inspired.
Mom will be missed by her beloved cat “Tiggy”.
Mom has been cremated and will be laid to rest in the Watson Cemetery. Due to covid restrictions there will be no visitation or service at this time. A graveside service will be held at a later date.
“10-4 good buddy, over and out!”