Helen French, ladies auxiliary Royal Canadian Legion branch 80 (6 photos)

Let’s face it, Helen French can look formidable until you realize her sense of humour is very subtle.

Here at Legion branch 80 Midland, Helen (Robertson) French, is a stalwart member and it's not been the same since her meat pies ended on Fridays. The Legion, and ladies auxiliary, were never the same.

If you had met Helen in those days you might not have known her back story, growing up in Victoria Harbour and life in that village, full of adventure since January 8, 1926.

Her father, Douglas Stewart Robertson, was a well regarded photographer, acquiring Gardiner’s Photo Studio in Victoria Harbour around 1920. He operated the studio until he developed glaucoma and that prevented him from continuing. The photo with the big Welcome sign was for the 1939 Royal Visit  and we see the family above the studio.

Helen’s brother, Stuart, nicknamed Brandy for his freckles, was born in 1922 in the Harbour.

Helen attended school in Victoria Harbour, though she adamantly claims she never grew up. This is a perpetual problem for all of us here, and south of  Midland…not growing up…they suspect it is the water.

Helen is well into her nineties now, and taking it easy hanging out with her friends and family and still visiting the vets and the shut-ins every year.

Thank you Helen for all you do from a grateful community.

René Hackstetter, May 13, 2021.