Hélène Simard

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Hélène Simard, on August 6, 2025, in Ottawa.

She is mourned by her daughters Marie-Josée Houle and Magalie-France Houle, her granddaughter Léah Lafond, her siblings Joceline, Yvon (Françoise), the late Louise (Éric), Marie (Benoît), François, Dominic (Léo), Chantale (Christian), as well as her nieces and nephews: Frédéric (Marie-Josée), Jean-Philippe (Debbie), Maxime (Kareen), Stéphanie (Sebastien), Pierre-Luc (Neda), and Pierre-Olivier (Mélanie). Many other relatives and friends also grieve her loss.

Marie Lucille Hélène Simard was born on December 14, 1950, in Quebec City, daughter of Thérèse Gagné and Édouard Simard. After studying at the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, she married Richard Houle, an officer in the Royal Canadian Navy, which led her to move to Victoria, Halifax, Kingston, and Ottawa. She worked as a nurse for over 35 years, most of them at Montfort Hospital. Hélène had a deep love for her daughters, granddaughter, and family. She was a cherished friend to many.

Family, friends, and former colleagues are invited to a visitation to be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 22, at the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa. A second visitation will take place on Saturday, August 23, starting at noon. A celebration of life will follow in the Sacred Space of the Beechwood National Memorial Centre at 1:00 p.m., along with a reception.

Her daughters wish to thank the family, friends, and neighbors who supported her in recent months, as well as the emergency services, doctors, and hospital staff at Montfort Hospital. Expressions of sympathy may be made through a donation to the foundation or organization of your choice. Hélène regularly donated to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Ottawa Humane Society, the Canadian Wildlife Federation, the Salvation Army, the Ottawa Mission, the  Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the Canadian Cancer Society.