Anna Vidal

Anna Vidal (August 23, 1927 - June 30, 2011) was the second wife of Charles Helyar.

Early life

She was born in Selkirk, Manitoba, grew up in Manitoba and Ontario, lived in Winnipeg,

Icelandic relatives from the Hnausa and Arborg areas of Manitoba (i.e. New Iceland):

• Sigurros (cousin) (died before 2011)
• Hannes (cousin) (died before 2011)
• Solla (cousin) (died before 2011)

Her siblings:

• Fjola Doell (sister, died before 2011)
• Bud (Hal) Vidal (brother, died before 2011)

First Husband

In Winnipeg in the 1940s she worked at Furnasman, where she met her husband, Charles Helyar. They married in 1950, staying married 43 years, he predeceasing her.

During the Winnipeg years they spent summers at Lake of the Woods, Ontario, and winters in Rancho Mirage, California.

She moved with Charles to Vancouver in 1967. She was a member of Capilano Golf and Country Club for many years.

She was mother to six children:

• Leora Fisher (husband Arthur Fisher, predeceased)
  • Possibly parent to some of: Andrew, Cameron, Leah, David, Markus, Stefan
• Lesley Munch (husband Jim Munch)
  • Possibly parent to some of the grandchildren above
• Karl Helyar (wife Ann Beardsell)
  • Possibly parent to some of the grandchildren above
• Kristinn Helyar (wife Tanya Helyar)
  • Possibly parent to some of the grandchildren above
• Andrea Helyar (1951, predeceased - likely died young)
• Saranna Morley (predeceased 2003)

Through Charles, her in-laws/extended family included:

• Lillias Taylor (1911-2012, husband Charles' sister)
  • Bea Alt (niece)
  • Charles Taylor (nephew)

Second Husband

A number of years after Charles passed away in 1993, she married Art Adamson, an old family friend.

Art Adamson's children (her stepchildren):

• Bob Adamson (wife Sharon)
• Gail Brodsky (husband Bob Brodsky)
• Bill Adamson (wife Jane)
• David Adamson (wife Maureen)
• Joan Stevenson (husband Jim Stevenson)

Obituary

On June 30, 2011 she died of ovarian cancer at home.

Anna Helyar ADAMSON

Anna died peacefully at home on June 30, 2011, after a long and bravely fought battle with ovarian cancer. She was born Anna Vidal on August 23, 1927, in Selkirk, Manitoba. Anna is survived and will be dearly missed by her beloved husband, Art, and her children and their spouses Leora Fisher, Lesley Munch (Jim), Karl Helyar (Ann Beardsell), Kristinn Helyar (Tanya), her sister-in-law Lillias Taylor, her niece Bea Alt, and her nephew Charles Taylor. She is also survived by her much-loved grandchildren Andrew, Cameron, Leah, David, Markus and Stefan as well as extended family members Lillias Bjornson, Shirley Helyar, Susan and Brian Shoesmith, and Art's children, Bob Adamson (Sharon), Gail Brodsky (Bob), Bill Adamson (Jane), David Adamson (Maureen) and Joan Stevenson (Jim), and their children and grandchildren. Anna was predeceased by her first husband of 43 years, Charles Manning Helyar. She was also predeceased by her children Andrea (1951) and Saranna Morley (2003), sister Fjola Doell, brother Bud (Hal) Vidal, son-in-law Arthur Fisher, and relatives of Icelandic heritage from the Hnausa and Arborg areas of Manitoba, including cousins Sigurros, Hannes, and Solla. After growing up in Manitoba and Ontario, she met and married Charles while working at Furnasman in Winnipeg. During the Winnipeg years they spent summers at Lake of the Woods, Ontario, and winters in Rancho Mirage, California. In 1967 they moved to Vancouver. A number of years after Charles passed away, Anna was blessed to become reacquainted with an old family friend, Art Adamson, and they were married and spent several happy and active years together with family and friends, and travelling the world. Anna was a devoted mother and wife, but always made time to enjoy activities with her many friends including bowling, bridge, and dining out. She was a fine golfer, being a member of Capilano Golf and Country Club for many years, a natural on the dance floor, and a world-class shopper! Anna was proud of her Icelandic roots, and was renowned for her stamina and positive attitude in all she did, but perhaps more importantly for her enjoyment of life, hence her nickname, the Jolly Elf.The family wishes to thank Drs. Paul Klimo, James Hunter, Robert Scott and Wayne Smith for their kind and expert care over the years. Also, our sincere appreciation goes to the nursing staff of the chemotherapy clinic at Lions Gate Hospital, including nurses Pat, Julie, Karen, Mona, Jennifer, Erin, Mandy, Gaby, Judy, Lea, Ruffina, and Sandy. The support and compassionate care by Dr. Paul Sugar and the nurses and therapists of the North Shore palliative team are also very much appreciated. Finally, heartfelt thanks to Yolanda Nagy, family friend of many years, Elizabeth Kichamu, and to caregivers Justine Trina Ragutero and Frieda Cabantac whose help and companionship made Anna's days at home more comfortable. A memorial service will be held on July 6 at 2:00 P.M. at First Memorial Boal Chapel, 1505 Lillooet Road, North Vancouver, with reception to follow at Capilano Golf and Country Club, 420 Southborough Drive, West Vancouver. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, 231 East 15th Street, North Vancouver, BC, V7L 217, in recognition of the inestimable oncologist Dr. Paul Klimo's service to Anna and numerous others.