CommunityFormer Winnipeg Foundation Board Chair, Helen Hayles, passed away in 2021. Helen devoted decades of time and expertise to serving community and leaves a remarkable impact that will be felt for generations to come.
Helen was born in Brandon, Manitoba on June 11, 1929, and spent most of her life living in Winnipeg in the Wolseley and River Heights areas. She attended Laura Secord School and Gordon Bell High School, where she made many lifelong friends. Helen met Bruce Hayles at a party thrown by his sister, and they were married in 1953. Helen and Bruce spent the rest of their lives together, enjoying time with their children and friends.
Throughout her lifetime Helen made significant contributions to many of Winnipeg’s cultural, educational, and charitable organizations. Always leading by example, she promoted, developed, and implemented volunteer services and programs in her community, and served on The Foundation’s Board from 1980-2001. Her list of achievements is long, and the organizations she served include: Junior League; United Way; Coalition of National Voluntary Committees; Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra; Pavilion Gallery Museum; Social Planning Council of Winnipeg; Winnipeg School Division; and the Park Committee, among countless others.
Helen was recognized with many awards for her outstanding achievements, including receiving the University of Manitoba Distinguished Service Award and being a two-time recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Award. In recognition of her deep community involvement, she was nominated to become a Member of The Order of Canada on April 27, 2000. She was invested by the Governor General of Canada in Ottawa on February 28, 2001, which was one of her family’s proudest moments.
To read Helen’s full obituary please visit:
passages.winnipegfreepress.com/passage-details/ id-303157/HAYLES_HELEN
This story is featured in the Spring 2022 issue of our Working Together magazine. Download or view the full issue on our Publications page.