Helen Marie (Turgeon) Frosst

Helen “Marie” Frosst (ne Turgeon)

August 29, 1946 - June 2, 2022

On June 2, 2022 our beautiful Marie left us for her next journey. She was in the arms of her devoted husband Eliot in their home in Ross Ferry, where he had cared for her throughout her extended illness. Marie was a teacher and translator of the French language, which she learned as a child so that she could speak with her grandfather. Her love of French was clearly meant to be: AIMER = MARIE when you move the letters around.

Marie and Eliot met because of a mutual love for long-distance cross-country skiing. They found themselves at the same race in February 1975 and were married December 28, 1976.

They resided in St. John’s Newfoundland where Marie was a French teacher. Their first child, John Eliot Neville, was born there in 1980. The family moved to Calgary in 1983 where their second son, Andrew, was born in 1985. In 1999 they moved to Edmonton where she worked in the Education Department for the Government of Alberta. They decided to relocate to Cape Breton because of Eliot’s lung condition. They found that his symptoms disappeared when they were in Nova Scotia.

While in Cape Breton, Marie continued to work for both the Federal and Provincial governments as a translator. She was also a hard-working and dedicated volunteer for many organizations, and most of her activities she shared with Eliot. She worked with the Ross Ferry Stewardship Society, the Ross Ferry Fire Department, Fortress of Louisbourg, Velo Cape Breton, the MammoWarriors and Celtic Colours International Festival. Her command of French was a special asset as a Site Manager for Celtic Colours at the Fortress.

Marie loved the home they built in Cape Breton and she settled comfortably in the Ross Ferry community. She adored all manner of art, music, flowers and she very much enjoyed other people. She had an interest in Archeology and History, which she shared with Eliot. She and Eliot travelled to Europe including extensive travel in Belgium and France where they stayed with Frank and Rita De Rijck. Then jn 2019 they took part in a special retreat in La Maladière, France focusing on French cuisine and history with chef Lars Willem and writer Douglas Brown.

She leaves behind her loving husband Eliot Ballantyne Frosst, their two sons Andrew Martin Edward Frosst (Becky McMaster ) and John Eliot Neville Frosst (Lauren Simms) and one grandchild, Élise Helen Grace Frosst, born February, 2020. She will be missed by her sister-in law Laurie Sheer (Doug Sheer) and brother-in-law Myles Frosst, and her cousin Jackie Cuthill, husband Dave and son Jimmy. She was predeceased by her parents Neville Turgeon and Martha Turgeon (ne Brunet) and Eliot’s parents also Eliot Ballantyne Frosst and Rita Mary Frosst (ne Kehoe).

Cremation has taken place under the care of W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney. Marie’s ashes will be taken to Calgary at a later date. There will be a celebration of life for Marie at the former Drummond Church, Ross Ferry, on Friday, September 2nd.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada

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