Obituary of HELEN BITNEY

HELEN ELIZABETH BITNEY

(Mackenzie / nee Peslar)

November 20, 1931 – June 14, 2025

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother and grandmother Helen Bitney on Saturday June 14, 2025.

Mom passed away peacefully at Deer Lodge Centre after a long struggle with dementia. Mom was a kind, gentle but strong woman who had the loveliest smile.

Helen was born in Toronto on November 20, 1931, the youngest of 3 daughters of John and Elizabeth Peslar.

Helen was predeceased by her husbands Alex Mackenzie and Gerald Bitney; her parents; her sisters and brothers in law Mary (Jack Thomson) and Anne (Alf Mocon); nephew

John Thomson; her beloved granddaughter Karla Mackenzie (Steve) and great-granddaughter Sophie Conner.

Missing her greatly are her sons and daughters-in-law John (Monique), Steven (Maria), Charles (Nancy), Richard (Barbara), Brian (Karen) and Larry Poole (Kathryn); step-daughter Frances Bitney (Andrew) and grandchildren.

A very proud and active grandmother, Helen spent many happy hours camping with her grandchildren.  She is greatly missed by Morgan (Jorden), Taylor (Brendan), Sarah (Allan) and Dante, Ryan, Caryssa, James and Beatrice. She also leaves to mourn many cherished nieces and nephews.

After getting married to Alex (Henry) Mackenzie, the family moved to Winnipeg for Dad to pursue a career with Loblaw’s.  Helen went on to having 5 boys and she was enormously proud to tell everyone she met of her beloved family. She was a Super Mom and always did her utmost to provide for her sons.

In 1977 Helen married Gerald Bitney with whom she enjoyed gardening, traveling and spending numerous winters in Brownsville, Texas.

A retired teacher’s aide, Helen’s love for children was remarkable and she truly enjoyed her work.  Above all, Helen would love to sing - anywhere and everywhere. She was a devout Catholic all of her life and greatly believed in the power of prayer.

As a result of Mom’s dementia she spent the last years of her life at Deer Lodge Centre.  Although her memory was gone she continued to be the kind hearted and lovely lady that she had always been.

The family wishes to thank the Staff at Deer Lodge Centre - Tower 7 for their kindness and the excellent care of our beloved Mom during her stay on the Dementia Unit.

A Celebration of Helen’s Life will be held on Monday July 7, 2025 at 10:00 am at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Mom, we love you and we will miss you. You will be forever in our hearts.  

“To the world you were a mother but to us you were the world.”