Helen McNab

  Helen passed away peacefully in her sleep and went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on November 9, 2019.

  Helen Joyce was born on July 31, 1938 at the hospital in Pincher Creek to Ruth and Aron Ekelund of Twin Butte, AB.  She spent most of her formative years growing up the youngest of five children on the family cattle ranch at Twin Butte.

  Helen’s mom, Ruth, taught school at various one room school houses in the Twin Butte-Waterton area. Helen rode a horse from the age of six, by herself, to attend those schools. When she was older, she and her mother lived at the colony with the Hutterites of the Pincher Creek Colony for a couple of school years when her mother taught there. Helen even dressed like a Hutterite, so as to fit in. She enjoyed a lifetime friendship with the people of this colony.

  Helen, her two brothers and parents, moved to Pincher Creek for their High School years.

  The summer of her 18th year Helen and a friend went to Great Falls MT on a lark where she met Bud Poole of Harlan, Iowa. Three months later they married and settled in Conrad, MT.

  They had three children who were her greatest joy in life.

  After raising their children, they eventually settled in Salt Lake City UT, where Helen enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren.

  In the summer of 1993, while visiting her sister Jean Sinclair of Fort Macleod, whom Helen adored, she reconnected with an old friend, Jim McNab.

  Helen and Jim married later that year and lived on a cattle ranch at Twin Butte. Helen had come full circle and in fact only lived a few miles from the old homestead where she had been raised.

  Helen and Jim spent over 20 years ranching until Jim’s passing.

  Helen then moved to Fort Macleod to be near her sister, Jean. She had wonderful friends, numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews and had created a very rich full life. She also remained extraordinarily close to her three children throughout her life.

  Helen is survived by her three children, Ruth, (Rick) Braddock, Carol, (Moe) Torres, and Rob, (Kathy) Poole.  She has eight grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

  A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on November 23rd at the Fort Macleod Alliance Church, 1716-7a Avenue, Fort Macleod, AB. 

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