LAPIERRE (Power), Helen Marie

Age 92, died peacefully May 7, 2021 in Halifax, after a short battle with congestive heart failure. Helen was a powerful force of nature, the matriarch of a large extended family, and was loved, feared, and respected by all who met her. Helen was born in 1928 in Herring Cove. Helen was extremely intelligent and performed well in school. Her memory was keen and was able to recite poems taught to her by the Nuns all her life. When she was 16, the shy and handsome Joe Lapierre started to visit Herring Cove with some friends from school. His calm matched her fire, they fell in love and they were married. Several years later they welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family, Judy, then Keith, then Peter, then Nancy. Helen was industrious and always had a side hustle; whether organizing bingos, running the canteen by the look-off, or picking up work at a chocolate factory. She was also adventurous – her children remember anytime the fire brigade sirens would ring out, Helen would drop whatever she was doing, jump in the car, and speed down the road to see what was what. Helen admitted just recently, “I was afraid that maybe one of my sons had started the fire, and I wanted to get there first!”. Helen was the quintessential grandmother, her mission in life was to feed everyone – she always had a pastry tucked away for company, popsicles in the freezer, and if you stopped by for lunch you’d likely find an entire cooked turkey and ham in her fridge. All her grandchildren fondly remember eating gingerbread boys and her infamous “Stuff” trifle for desserts after family dinners. Helen was hands-on and could often be seen managing a gaggle of children; taking them to the beach, to the wavepool, to see a movie. She always had surprises and never forgot birthdays. She loved her local grandchildren like her own and made her grandchildren from away feel like celebrities whenever they visited. Helen lived a remarkable life. She was married for 67 years to man that she loved. She raised four incredible children. She travelled. She had beautiful friendships. She loved her community and Nova Scotia. She lived life fully – she was vivacious, quick witted, and had a mischievous sense of humor. Helen was independent and in control of her own destiny – she lived life her own way until the very end. Helen is greatly missed by her children, Judy, Keith (Brenda), Peter (Pat), and Nancy; her grandchildren, Adam (Ira), Heather (Corey), Judith, Kristian, Jan-sebastian (Amanda), Alex (Caitlin), Michael (Emily), and Jennifer (Byron); and her greatgrandchildren, Sam, Sean, Max, Dani, Llewyn, Matthew, Charlotte, Leah and Gus. She was predeceased by her parents and her siblings, and her beloved husband Joe. Due to current pandemic restrictions related to COVID-19 no memorial service will be held as this juncture. Additionally, Helen did not desire for anyone to “go to all that fuss”. In typical Helen fashion, she made sure that we promised to give her what she wanted. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Nova Scotia Nature Trust (Nova Scotia Nature Trust – Donate Online (nsnt. ca), an organization that helps to preserve the coast line that Helen held so dear. The family would also like to sincerely thank Dr. Brian Addie and all the staff and caregivers at Melville Gardens who gave expert care in Helen’s final years. Also, a special thank you to Dr. Amy Nason and Dr. Lori Mallory who provided dignity and kindness in her final moments.