Helen May Brandt

We celebrate the life of Helen May Brandt, who passed away Nov. 23, at the age of 84.

Helen was born in Enderby, and raised in Kingfisher at Mabel Lake, where her parents Alice
(Husband) and Russell Large owned and ran the Mabel Lake resort. From them she learned
both kindness and the value of hard work. She lived her adult life in Vernon, raising her family
and always enjoying life and travelling with family and friends. Mabel Lake always remained
precious to her.

Helen loved time with her family, the outdoors, music, travelling, cooking and baking, and
connecting with people. She had many lifelong friends, and also cherished new friends. She
was a member of Trinity United Church for all her years in Vernon, volunteering in UCW,
scouting, and other roles. She was a nurse before and after her children were young.
After finishing nursing school in her early twenties, she began her traveling, with two friends
boarding a ship from New York City to hitchhike Ireland, Britain and Europe in 1961. She grew
up with photography, which her father loved, and left us many beautiful photographs of that
trip, and later of her family, friends, and her other travels.

In Vernon she met Cliff Brandt, who shared her love for music and desire for a family, and soon
they married. Their marriage lasted more than 25 years, although eventually they divorced and
led independent lives for many years afterwards.
She was practical but always generous, encouraging her children to participate in music and
sports, and supporting them to do what made them happy. She believed deeply in fairness and
including everyone. She travelled as a volunteer to Romania and Nicaragua to work with
children’s charities.

Helen lived with Parkinson’s for 20 years, lucky to have many of those years still healthy and
independent: quilting, travelling, cooking and baking, and seeing her grandchildren grow up.
She is survived by her children Jeff, Dwayne, Neil, and Susan and their families in Winnipeg,
Vancouver, Toronto and Vernon; four grandchildren, and her brother Hugh and sister Natasha.
Instead of flowers, Helen would have appreciated donations to the Mackenzie Camp Society or
the Parkinson Society of BC.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-558-0866

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: