Tribute

Helen passed away peacefully on February 18th , 2024 two weeks short of her 97th birthday. Born to a Quaker family in  Shaftesbury, Dorset, England she grew up with 3 brothers and a sister, all of whom were given equal opportunity for a career as this was the Quaker way. Helen trained as an occupational therapist, which was a newfield; she travelled to Australia where she worked for nine years enjoying the white sand beaches and going on adventures such as hitch hiking across the Nulaboor plain, before continuing to travel the world. While travelling across Canada she decided to hitchhike her way to Alaska but was turned around at the border. Helen returned to Mile Zero of the Alaska Highway which is Dawson Creek and worked at a café where her future husband noticed her and gave her a ride towards Prince Rupert on her next adventure, making sure to let her know she could stop by any time.

Helen married Knut in 1962 and had 3 children. They homesteaded in the Dawson Creek area until 1976 when they made the big move to run a motel and orchard in Oliver BC. Helen wore many hats during her life including advocating for better mental Health in BC’s north, enjoying many a fall fair competition for baking, flower arranging, jam, or the best vegetables, raising chickens and beekeeping. She was an active lifelong member of the Associated Country Women of the World and the BC Women’s  Institute-organizations that promoted support for women in farming and greater equality
for women.

Helen was preceded in her death by her husband Knut Overnes and more recently by
her son William. She is survived by her daughters Kari Fetherston and Joyce Pielou
(Richard) and granddaughter Chelsea Ocea, stepgrandchildren Chelsea Marie and
Kayley Pielou, Lewis, Misty and Kyle Karmaschek.and her great step-grandchildren Nat,
Angus, and Bowie.