Helen Cawkwell

Helen Georgina McGonigal was born on a farm near Briercrest, Sask., to James and Mary Jane McGonigal. She moved to Nut Mountain in 1943 to teach school. Helen married Bernard Cawkwell on November 3, 1945. Bernard was farming with his dad and brothers at this time.
In January 1946, they bought a farm near Nut Mountain and built their first home in 1947. Bernard and his brother used a team of horses and a scraper to dig the basement. Friends and family helped complete the home. In 1949, a combine replaced horses and a threshing machine in the field.
On July 10, 1950, their son Edwin (Ted) was born. Their daughter Carol was born on December 25, 1951.
Helen taught school in Nut Mountain, Pipestone Creek, Nut Grove and Lintlaw. As well as teaching grades 1 to 8 at Nut Grove, she worked hard at planning events. The school was the centre for social events with the Christmas Concert being the highlight of the year.
Helen (Granny) valued family and hard work more than anything else. She liked her cats too. She especially loved her grandchildren. She was always there to help out and attend special events. Having fun was important but only after the work was done. Granny was known for her quick wit, sense of humour and off-the-cuff opinions.
Bernard passed away in 1974 after a short illness. Ted returned home to run the farm. Granny remained on the farm until 2007 when she moved in the villa in Kelvington.
Granny was very healthy and fiercely independent her entire life. She encountered health issues this year and was admitted to Kelvington Hospital on October 5. She remained there until her death on October 26. She was surrounded by family and friends until the end.
Helen was predeceased by her husband Bernard, sister Edith Cole and her son Edwin (Ted).
Helen’s life is celebrated by her daughter Carol Markowsky (Erron Johnston); daughter-in-law Laura Olson (Ken Murray); grandchildren, Edwin (Ted) Cawkwell, Cheney Creamer (Duncan), Alexandria Masse (Justin), Micheal Cawkwell (Erin), Kathryn Johnson (Jeff), Jeremey Cawkwell, Stacey Cawkwell (Delacy); great-grandchildren, Oscar and Octavia Masse, Conor, Peyton and Emerson Cawkwell, Edwin Johnson.
Granny will be missed by us but remembered in our hearts forever.