August 25th, 1931 - November 27th, 2023
Family and friends are mourning the passing of HELEN LUCAS on November 27, 2023.
Helen was a huge presence in the lives of all who knew her. Her legacy is one of kindness, grace, generosity, authenticity and an advocate for the well-being of others. She had the heart and passion of an artist as expressed in her joyous floral paintings. Inspired by her Mother's flower gardens, always bursting with colour, Helen's paintings featured intense colours and oversize shapes on large canvases. Surprisingly, they are intimate and approachable, inviting the viewer to enter Helen's world of love and joy.
From an early age, her artistic talents were evident. Born 1931 in Weyburn, Sask. to Greek parents, Effie (Eftihia) and William Geatros, she grew up in Saskatoon and then attended Ontario College of Art (1950-1954). After marriage and the birth of two daughters she started exhibiting her early black and white figurative works. Since 1953, Helen had more than 50 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows in Canada, the U.S. and in Italy where she was invited to participate in the Florence Biennale. In 2017 a major retrospective of her artwork was presented by York University. Her paintings can be seen in countless private, corporate, and public collections including The Canadian War Museum, The King City Municipal Offices, Sick Kids Hospital, and The Sunnybrook Odette Cancer Centre. York University has the largest collection of her artworks, as well as her archive.
Between 1973 and 1979, Helen was a Drawing and Painting Master at Sheridan College, voted 'Teacher of the Year'. Other highlights of her career include an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from York University in 1991 and a First Place award in two categories for the hour long documentary on her life at the Chicago International Film Festival.
Additional awards include The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal, 2012, and three Grants from the Ontario Arts Council.
Helen published several books including, "A Christmas Birthday Story", in collaboration with Margaret Laurence in 1980.
Helen is survived by her daughter Michelle, her sister Mary and brother-in-law Jeff, sons-in-law Frank and Alan, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and cousins; she is predeceased by her parents, husband Derek, sister Diane and brother-in-law William and, in 2014, her beloved daughter Andrea.
Our hearts are heavy yet her spirit lives on in memory and in her paintings. We know that Helen will continue to enchant, while dancing with her Angels and Doves.
A private funeral will take place and visitation will be on Thursday December 7 between 4 and 6 PM at the Roadhouse & Rose Funeral Home – 157 Main Street South, Newmarket Ontario, L3Y 3Y9. In lieu of flowers kindly make donations to The Alzheimer Society.
For more detailed information visit helenlucas.com