Obituary of Ms. Yuet Wah "Helen" Yuen 袁月華女士

Yuet Wah "Helen" Yuen passed away suddenly on May 7, 2024. She was the beloved mother to Ying  (Carolyn) and Sally (Timothy), grandmother to Preston, Morris and Ariel, and aunt to Doris (Neville). She is missed by her street neighbours in Scarborough, and the various friends she made in her local community. 

Arriving in Canada on May 15, 1993 from Hong Kong, she made a life for herself and her two children. With limited English skills but a friendliness and charisma that is unparalleled, she worked hard to advance in her new home country. She lived in Scarborough and Ottawa, having worked in aesthetics both as an aesthetician and a consultant.

Helen was born in China on February 8, 1955. She was denied the opportunity to pursue an education fully, and this motivated her to learn English in Canada as best she could. She loved to learn, and could sew, cut hair, and do make-up all with a skill of someone with more formal training. She loved to cook and to garden, and is known by many as the generous neighbour dropping off soup with vegetables she planted, or sharing plants for free. She had a care about her that is rare and special. She even left food out for local wildlife in her backyard; she had  a soft spot for animals including birds.

Helen's life philosophies included to encourage her family to eat more, be happy and to feel fulfilled. She loved playing the lotto to try her luck, and often was very lucky indeed! In fact, in 2010, she became a mother (again) to Lucky, the cat and Encore, the dog. Both of her animal children now live with Ying and Carolyn in Toronto. 

In our family, when you would thank Helen she would say, "no need, we're family!" She had a signature way of making you feel loved, without becoming too sentimental. We will miss her meals, her generosity and her very girl-like giggle that kept her young at heart. 

Helen would be so pleased to know that so many people cared about her, and will miss her. We invite anyone from her or her children's community to join the visitation on Friday May 17, 2024, between 10:30a.m. - 12:30p.m. Some brief remarks will be made around 12:00p.m. If desired, donations can be made in memory of Helen to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.