Obituary of Helga Harfield

HARFIELD, Helga

On Wednesday morning, November 7, 2018 Helga Harfield (nee Helen Coleman) passed away peacefully at the Lamont Health Care Centre. Although saddened, we now celebrate her life.

Born in Eton, Berkshire, England on July 18, 1920 to parents Harold Gordon Coleman and Maude Blanche Coleman, Helga was married in Grays, Essex, England on May 29, 1939 to Dean Harfield.  Just a few months later, WWII broke out in September 1939, and she served in the London Fire Department while Dean served in the Royal Air Force. She and Dean emigrated to Edmonton with their children and her mother in May 1956.  Dean predeceased her in 1975, her mother in 1983, and her daughter, Judy Smith in 2008.

Helga is survived by her son Don Harfield (Donna), her son-in-law Douglas Smith, six grandchildren Collin Smith (Simi), Frazer Smith (Suzanne Rozycki), Timothy Harfield (Elisa Wallace), Stephen Harfield (Kristin Radtke), Karen Harfield (Owen Dawkins), Jared Harfield (Gail), three great grandchildren Aidan Smith, Kingston Dawkins, Marley Dawkins, five nephews and nieces Richard Coleman (Pauline), Roger Coleman (Sue), Pat Coleman, Jonathan Coleman, and Helen Burns (Mark), her grand-nephew Alex Coleman (Marilyn), grand-nieces Chanel Trombetta (Anthony), and Renee Burns, and great-grandniece Maia Coleman.

Among other things, Helga loved dancing in her youth and received many awards. She performed in a dance troupe when stationed with the Fire Department in Essex during WWII.  She brought her passion for entertaining to Edmonton and was active in the Edmonton Light Opera Society for many years. She loved her work at the Eaton’s Department store for 31 years and had many friends at the downtown store before retiring in 1988. 

Helga will be remembered fondly by many relatives and friends in Canada and England, including the ladies in the Consular Corp. of Edmonton and more recently by her friends at the Vegreville Homestead Lodge. 

Helga moved to Vegreville in 2007 to live near close family and since 2012 lived at the Vegreville Homestead Lodge.

Helga’s family would like to express their gratitude to the Vegreville Hospital and the Lamont Health Care Centre for their medical care and the Autumn Rose Funeral Home for their kind assistance upon her passing.

As per her wishes, cremation has been arranged and a private family memorial service will occur at a later date.