It is with heavy heart that we announce the sudden death of Helen Margot Sanderson (nee Mastin), 78 years, in her Little Current home on Wednesday evening, January 18, 2012. Born in Manitowaning, Helen spent most of her life in southern Ontario. She moved back to Manitoulin Island in July of last year to be close to her daughter and grandson in Little Current, and brother and nephews in Sudbury. Beloved wife of Donald Sanderson (predeceased), daughter of Art Mastin and Katherine Mastin (both predeceased), sister of her forever ‘baby brother’ Rennie Mastin (Sudbury), sister to Cay Mastin (predeceased), mother to Beth Richards and grandmother to Sean Redmore, aunt to nephews Rennie Jr., Ryan, Jonathon, Andrew, Ian, and Barry (predeceased), godmother to Ryan Mastin, and sister-in-spirit to Lee Davis (Auntie Lee). Helen was an accomplished athlete and at various stages of her life was passionately engaged in skiing, tennis, skating, and horseback riding. She loved animals, especially her pets, and all nature. She was an avid traveler. With her second husband, Don Sanderson, she travelled throughout Europe and the British Isles. Bridge was another passion. She looked forward every week to bridge games with her friends around Erin, Ontario, as well as a bridge club she had recently joined in Mindemoya. Helen enjoyed her fireside chats after bridge with Marion Seabrook, during which Marion’s cat found a home on Helen’s lap. But her favorite cats were her own, both rescue cats, Ariel and Kelpie. After supporting her first husband, Bill Richards (predeceased) to finish his Bachelors and Law Degree, Helen went back to school herself, obtaining straight A’s at York University in every course she registered for. She loved to read and was particularly interested in history. She was also an excellent and talented writer, many of her letters home faithfully preserved by her own mother for many years, and now by her daughter. Helen never had a mean word to say about anyone. She was beautiful, highly intelligent, witty, a great friend and a wonderful mother, sister, aunt and grandma. She will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved her. Cremation at First Nation Crematorium in Sagamuk First Nation on Monday, followed by Service at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Manitowaning at 2 pm, Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Potluck afterward at 2 Cherry Street in Little Current for friends and family. Helen’s ashes will find their home at her beloved camp on Lake Manitou on May 26, 2012, at which time her many friends near and far will gather together to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to www.catsanonymous.ca and clicking on the CanadaHelps.org icon on the main page, or donate to a charity of your choice in Helen’s name. Thank you.
“I said to my soul, be still, and wait…so the darkness shall be light, and the stillness the dancing.” T.S. Eliot
