Obituary of Helen Glen McCrum

With the heaviest of hearts, but with gratitude for her life, the family of Helen Glen McCrum announce her peaceful passing April 6, 2023 at age 99.

Loving wife of husbands John Gillies (1978), John Payne (1994) and  Robert McCrum (2019) and adored mother of John Paul Gillies (2019) (Lori Mist), James Gillies (Kathy) and Stephen Gillies (Anne) and grandmother to Ellen, Jack and Simon Gillies.

Helen was born July 21, 1923 in London, Ontario and is predeceased by her parents Ernest Melville Cambridge (1969) and Fanny Glen Cambridge (1987) and sister Beverly Jean Morgan (2019).

Helen  grew up in the Great Depression, lived through the second world war, the prosperous 1950’s and the social  revolution of the 1960’s and 70’s.    This long arc of her life informed and shaped her kindness, generosity and respect for others, and made her many lifelong friends in London, Kincardine, St. Joseph’s and Grand Bend.  She was a gracious and welcoming host. Helen believed she had a 'good life'. 

Devoted to her family, she was also a keen observer of world events and the human condition. She was an early and voracious reader with a wide and eclectic range of interests and remained so until her last days. She was also a compassionate advocate for climate change.  She had a dry sense of humor: her vanity license plate was “3Z ENUF” and the family remains uncertain if that referred to husbands or sons.

She leaves a legacy of love.

Helen’s family wishes to thank the staff of Strathmere Lodge – Hickory Woods for their kindness and compassionate care, and to convey deepest gratitude to  Julie Anderson for her kindness, extraordinary care  for and friendship with Helen in her later years.

A private family service will be held at a later date. Online condolences and donations may be made at www.strathroyfuneralhome.com. Arrangement entrusted to DENNING’S OF STRATHROY.