Prince George Citizen: 2012 January 12
June 8, 1916 - December 20, 2011
Helen Marion Manery
was born to Similkameen pioneers, and grew up on her parents' farm and
orchard in Cawston with her five siblings. She received her teaching
credentials in 1935 and got her first teaching job in Kaleden. There she
met and married Ron King, and together they raised five children. Helen
sewed their clothes, taught them poetry and songs, and instilled in
them the values close to her heart. In the 1960's the family moved to
Prince George. Ron worked for BC Telephone, and Helen continued her
teaching career at Kelly Road and Peden Hill Elementary. She loved the
kids, the creativity, and the challenges of teaching. She went to night
school and to UBC to continue her education as a school librarian. She
was a member of First Baptist Church in Prince George, taught Sunday
School and Pioneer Girls, sang in the choir, and participated in
missions societies. She lived out her faith by adhering to the values
she had learned as a girl. Love people, live with integrity, work hard,
stay true to your commitments and give generously to others. Helen
exercised a life long gift of offering hospitality to others. The King
home was always open to young people, friends and family. Sundays after
church, Helen hosted lunch for visitors to church, and many people also
stayed in their home for extended periods of time. After Ron and Helen
retired to Kaleden, they welcomed many of their Prince George friends to
their home by the lake. Helen was kindhearted, caring, and supportive.
She also had an independent spirit. A woman ahead of her time, she
omitted from her marriage vows the promise to obey; she thought that to
love and honour was sufficient. She had a pragmatic sort of wisdom,
choosing the practices that worked for her from the pendulum swings of
educational theory. She had an artistic flair, knitting sweaters and
crocheting bedspreads for all her grandchildren. In her final years,
despite the loss of many abilities, she retained her sense of humour and
her gentle disposition. She often expressed gratitude to those who
cared for her. After almost seventy years of marriage, Ron died in 2010.
We who remain are blessed to have shared Helen's life: children Douglas
(Vivian), Elaine (Bill), Meredith (Bill), Barbara (Jon), Judith
(Randy), 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and a large extended
family.
A celebration of Helen's life will be held in Kaleden on the
August long weekend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hope
International Development Agency at hope-international.com or to Canadian Baptist Ministries at www.cbmin.org.
