Helen Merilyn Parks (née McIntyre)

It is with extreme sadness we share that Helen Merilyn Ann Parks (née McIntyre) passed peacefully on Saturday, October 21, 2023, in her 95th year. The youngest daughter of Courtland and Cora McIntyre of Lobo, Ontario, Helen was married to Cy Parks for 67 years (deceased March 5, 2018).

Helen was a resident of Stratford since 1954, and leaves behind her three children: Ruth (Gary) Whaley, Judy (Carl) Szolcsanyi and Sam (Debbi) Parks; and grandchildren: Marianne, Wayne, Steven, Kelly, Lauren, Karli and Brianna, and their respective partners. She was also great-grandmother to 10.

Helen was the founder of Camp-Out RV in 1962. With the support of her husband Cy, she was one of the feisty pioneers of women RV Dealership owners of her era. She enjoyed traveling (mostly camping vacations) with Cy and was an expert knitter, seamstress and needlepointer. She was also an avid curler, including skipping an eight-ender. Helen cherished time spent with family, including taking all seven grandkids camping at the same time, and she loved family Christmas vacations to warmer climes. Helen spent many an hour playing euchre, Scrabble and cribbage with friends and family.

She enjoyed her retirement years camping in Florida, and fishing and relaxing at the cottage with Cy on the Bruce Peninsula. She held fondly in her memories her 80th, then 90th birthday parties, that brought together the McIntyre clan.

There will be no visitation. A graveside service and burial will be held at First Lobo Baptist Cemetery, 10868 Oxbow Drive, Komoka on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Helen are asked to consider Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth.