Helen Donna (Hum) Melvin

Helen Donna (Hum) Melvin, who was born Sept. 20, 1931 in Winnipeg, left us peacefully on Dec. 30, 2007 at 1:37 pm in the loving hands of her devoted friend and caregiver Concita Galban, and nephews Craig and Scott Jacks.
Helen had muscular atrophy at birth that was progressive to the age of 11, and left her quadriplegic. Soon after she learned to write then paint with her mouth. She was predeceased by parents Carl and Wynonna Melvin, and siblings David, Joan, and Marion. She is survived by brother-in-law Quentin Jacks, and nephews Terry, Ron, Brad, Craig, and Scott Jacks.
Helen, a great artist, mastered the medium of floral watercolour. She overcame her physical disabilities with internal fortitude, positive attitude, accomplishment, and faith. She encouraged others with disabilities, and was the president of an indoor sports club. She will be greatly missed by her relatives in the U.S.A. and in eastern Canada. Helen was also a writer very much involved with her family and relatives, and wrote much about her inner feelings as well as family history. She taught her nephews the love of reading, music, art, and positive thinking. In her latter years she sponsored, then adopted, a family of six Filipinos who took superb care of her, and soon became her own family. Helen remains the example and inspiration to all that knew her.
A celebration of her life will take place on Fri., Feb. 1, 2008, at 1:30 pm at the Canadian Memorial Church, 16th and Burrard Street in Vancouver.
At Helen's request, donations can be made to the church.