Helen Beatrice Swansburg passed away peacefully on Friday, December 19th in Grand View Manor, Berwick, NS. Born in Halifax, on July 20th, 1924, Helen was the only daughter of Clinton and Winifred (nee Mantle) Larder. She began school at the MacDonald School in Middleton, NS, following which she lived in New Brunswick. During her teen years, Helen lived on a farm in Lower Sackville and attended a one‑room schoolhouse before continuing her studies at the Halifax Academy. She later began working at the Royal Bank. She married her husband of 47 years, Robert (Bob) Swansburg in 1944. They raised their family in Dartmouth, eventually retiring to the Annapolis Valley. Helen was community oriented – involved with Girl Guides, St. Anne's Anglican church camp, Friendly Neighbors, Family SOS Children's Villages, and the Annapolis Valley Historical Society. Helen was a 70+ year member of the Eta Master Chapter, Beta Sigma Phi where she developed lifelong friendships and shared learnings. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed handiwork: rug hooking, needlepoint, knitting, and sewing, to name a few. Whether a Sunday drive along country roads, camping in Newfoundland, or historical focused travel in the UK, Helen enjoyed travel. We still marvel at her determination to see New York City in her late 80's, taking it all in from the top of a Hop-on Hop-off bus. She was always smartly dressed, rarely without a touch of lipstick. And as the wife of a meteorologist, her travel advice remains timeless: in Atlantic Canada, always pack a sweater. Helen cherished time with family and friends or beach time on the Northumberland Shore where she summered for over 70 years. Her last dip in the Northumberland Strait was at 97 yrs.  Helen will be remembered for her love of family, speaking her mind, turning a serious story into a laugh with an innocent twist, charming smile, and finishing a meal with a decent cookie. Predeceased by her parents; husband, Bob; brother, Sonny; son-in-law, Sandy, and sisters-in-law, Beryl, Donna, Agnes, Eileen, and Rita. Helen is survived by her brothers, Bill and Bob (Linda); her children, Stephen (Garry); Linda; Jamie (Veronique); and Jennifer (David); grandchildren, Cynthia, and Ian (Cynthia); great grandchildren, Leah, Kaylee, Josh, and Abby, as well as a large extended family and countless friends, whose relationships she treasured. Of note nieces, Debbie, and Anne, and close companions and friends over the past few years: Hazel, Jan, Glennie, Claudette, Janet, and Gail. The family would like to thank the staff of Grand View Manor for their kind, compassionate support and care provided to Helen over the past year. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the All Saints Anglican Church, Parish of Wilmot, Palliative Care Programs: Carey Me or Grand View Manor Foundation . A funeral will be held at 11 am, Monday, December 29th in All Saints Anglican Church, Parish of Wilmot, 521 Pleasant St, Kingston, NS. Reception to follow in Kingston Fire Hall, 570 Sparky St., Kingston, NS. Arrangements have been entrusted to Middleton Funeral Home, 398 Main Street, 1-855-825-3448. Online guest book may be signed by visiting: www.middletonfuneralhome.com