Helen Agnes Brideau

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Helen Agnes Brideau of Hunter Lake, Upper Golden Grove, NB, announce her passing on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.  She was born January 27, 1937 to the Mark and Ada (Cormier) Breen.  She was a wonderful wife to her husband of 63 years, Tom (aka Babe) and loving and supportive mother to her three children, Margaret, Theresa and John.

Helen was born and grew up in Saint John, NB in a family of twelve siblings. She graduated as a registered nurse from St. Joseph’s Hospital in Saint John in 1958, and then began working in Montreal before returning to St. Joseph’s as Head Nurse of Pediatrics. After getting married, Helen moved to Ottawa working at the National Defence Medical Centre. In 1980, she took a refresher course and returned to nursing at Dartmouth General Hospital after taking time off to run the household.

Helen could do anything!  As a wife and mother, she did so much more than just run the household, she did everything. She sewed clothes, knitted and made costumers for her children, she was a great cook, was the family chauffer, and even did home renovations, including drywalling.  Helen was also artistic, she played guitar, sang, painted, and did paper-mâché.  Health and physical fitness played an important role in her daily life. She was very active and competitive, whether it be swimming, diving or golf, even refusing to play from the lady’s tees.  She was ahead of her time, taking computer courses when they first came out, practicing yoga before it was a thing, and preparing health food before anyone ever talked about it. She loved watching hockey and was a loyal Habs fan.

Helen was a “prayer giant” with her family always joking that she had a direct connection to God. When she said she would pray for you, you knew you were in good hands.  She was a woman of strong faith that prayed the rosary daily and either attended Mass daily or watched online. Helen was involved in the music ministry in church and the religious ed program. Helen had the patience of Job. She lived with MS for 58 years and never complained and was an inspiration to everyone who knew her or her story. 

Helen was Tom’s memory bank keeping him on track with his appointments and details on everything recent and far into the past.  Helen loved her morning coffee and watching the wildlife around their house on the lake, especially her beloved hummingbirds.  She was always up for a sing song and was known for her beautiful harmonies.  Helen did not say a lot but when she did, it was either very witty or powerful! So, when she talked, we listened!

Helen will be profoundly missed by her husband Tom (Babe); children, Margaret (Blair) Forbrigger, Theresa Brideau, and John (Michelle) Brideau; grandchildren, Shane (Sarah), Cameron (Catherine), Josh, Abby (Matt), and Erin; great grandchild, Charlotte; as well as her sisters Jean Osborne and Margaret Cross. Helen is predeceased by her parents Ada (Cormier) and Mark Breen, as well as her siblings, Jim, Joe, Tom, Mary, Arthur, Theresa, Vera, Tina, Mark, and Harold (aka Butch).

The family would like to thank the staff of the 3B Medical Surgery ICU at Saint John Regional Hospital for their compassionate care of Helen in her final days.

Visitation will be held on Sept. 30th from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Fundy Funeral Home, Westmorland Rd. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rothesay, on Wednesday Oct. 1st at 11:00 am. A private interment will occur at a later date. The Mass will be livestreamed and can be viewed here.  Please note that live streaming events may be interrupted due to loss of, or poor internet connection. Off-site services have an increased possibility of this and may affect both audio and visual of the livestream; these circumstances are beyond our control. All services are recorded, and therefore if this does occur, a recorded copy of the service will be uploaded once it is completed.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Canada would be appreciated by the family.