In Celebration of

Helen Louise MacNeill Rowland

February 17, 1926 -  September 26, 2017

Helen Louise Rowland
(née MacNeill)

Passed away in her 92nd year, at Christie Gardens in Toronto on 26 September 2017, with her sons, Charles and Michael, by her side. Daughter of John and Olive MacNeill. Widow of John Michael Chesney Rowland (1959). Loving mother-in-law of Lydia, Michael’s wife, and proud grandmother of their daughter, Madeline (fiancé Paul Roides). Helen will be missed by her sisters-in-law Elizabeth, Dorothy and Madeleine, and by her many nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her siblings, Donald, Ian, Lorna and Alan. Helen lived her adult life in Montreal, where she worked as a secretary in the geography department of McGill University and as executive secretary of the Canadian Association of Geographers. She was an avid birdwatcher and cross-country skier. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday 23 October 2017 at the Mount Royal Funeral Complex in Montreal (1297 Chemin de la Forêt, Outremont, H2V 2P9. Tel: 514-279-6540).
Committal of her ashes will take place the following day at 11:00 a.m. in Mount Royal Cemetery. Grateful thanks to the caregivers and staff of Christie Gardens. Donations to the Christie Gardens Foundation or the Morgan Arboretum would be greatly appreciated. Condolences can be offered online at www.mountroyalcem.com.

Guestbook 

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Bryan Massam (colleague at McGill and in CAG)

Entered October 6, 2017 from toronto

I have the fondest memories of Helen from my time as a professor in the department of geography at McGill from 1969-77 and my affiliation with the Canadian Association of Geographers. I was President of the CAG in the late 90's after I had left McGill for York University. I learned much from Helen about the organization and administration of the CAG. She was a wonderful teacher.

I well remember her charm, elegance, superb efficiency and kindness: never a nasty word. Helen exuded goodness, compassion and kindness wherever she went.

I send my deepest condolences to her sons and her family. Bryan


Damaris Rose (member of the organization for which Helen worked)

Entered October 13, 2017 from Montréal

Sincere condolences from Clifford Hastings & myself, long time members of the Canadian Association of Geographers. We are sorry not to be able to attend the ceremony due to being out of the country. Helen went to great lengths to help me, when I was a young graduate student in the late 1970s-early 1980s, to obtain grant funding to attend CAG conferences, and this really helped to launch my academic career. She did a fantastic job over the years at the CAG - efficient and always gracious - and we always enjoyed seeing her. I vividly recall the retirement gathering where the CAG gave her... bird-watching glasses. She was a reserved person, to us at least, but we got to know her a little better when we took her out to lunch, at the McCord Museum café, for her retirement. I wish her family many happy memories of her very full life.

Keith Fraser 

Entered October 13, 2017 from Ottawa

I had the privilege of working with Helen for more than twenty years. She was a charming and fun-loving person. She served two dozen presidents of the CAG and I never heard any of them criticize her nor did I ever hear her complain of any of them. She approached each as a new challenge, educated us in our roles and we were the better for her wisdom and her common sense. The CAG quite rightly recognized her contribution to the development of geography with the 1991 Award for Service to the Profession.

My wife Joyce and I had the privilege of enjoying her company on many CAG field trips.

Keith Fraser

Audrey Miller 

Entered October 14, 2017 from Toronto

Michael and Charlie, I read the obit this morning and wanted to let you know that I was thinking of you both . I remember walking home from Roslyn school, past your house and occasionally seeing your mom. With sympathies.

Greg Plant (Friend)

Entered October 14, 2017 from Toronto

Charles, Michael, and family,
I am so sorry for your loss and offer my sincere condolences.
Charles, I remember our days in grades 7, 8, and 9 at Westmoint High fondly. You welcomed me as the new kid in Grade 7 into a group of friends that played baseball and football at every recess and lunch hour opportunity, and, practiced the great weekend tradition of playing scrub Saturday mornings in Westmount Park after some of us had finished our paper routes.
I feel your loss and my thoughts are with you.
Sincerely,
Greg Plant

Photos 

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