Hélène Marie Diane Brochu

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that the family announces the sudden passing of Hélène Marie Diane Brochu on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at her home in Bracebridge Ontario at the age of 67. Cherished sister of Marie-Anne (late Ernest) Chrétien, Suzanne (Richard) Brochu-Ranta, Denis Brochu, Pauline (Bruce) Wallace and cherished friend, Melanie Rogers. Hélène was predeceased by her parents, Claude and Claire Brochu and her brother, Michel Brochu. She will be missed by her nephews, Eric (Priyam) Ranta, Karl Ranta, Craig (Claire) Eden, her nieces, Natasha (Kate) O’Brien and Michelle (Romnick) Eden-Vertudazo, grand-nieces Lucy and Leora, grand-nephews Otis, James and Bodhi and very special friends, Keith Girard and Sarah Girard.

Hélène had a university degree in Kinesiology and one in Psychology from the University of Waterloo. Hélène was employed at Corrections Services Canada (CSC) for 33 years in various capacities: correctional officer, personal development officer, coordinator personal development officer, acting program manager, assistant warden and acting deputy warden. While employed at CSC, Hélène was selected as their representative to Canada’s contribution to hurricane relief efforts in Haiti and spent two years working there for the United Nations. She was awarded 3 Peacekeeping Medals from the United Nations and an Exemplary Service Award from CSC. In the latter part of her career, Hélène also worked for 2 years in Africa as an INL Senior Correctional Advisor for the United States government to support their “soft power” efforts in the Sahel Region of Africa (Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Niger and Morocco). In her retirement, Hélène was a Volunteer Emergency Response Team Responder for the Canadian Red Cross.

Her talents and interests were far ranging: stain glass crafting, home renovations, stamp collecting, woodworking, knitting, crocheting, teaching herself how to play a variety of musical instruments, writing, reading, dabbling in the stock market and keeping herself up to date on technology. You could always count on Hélène to attend all family gathering events. Her sisters will especially miss celebrating milestone birthdays with their cherished sister.

Funeral Details:

Funeral mass will be held at Noon, Saturday, March 21, 2026, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 118 McMurray Street, Bracebridge, Ontario. The family will receive family and friends from 11 am to Noon in the church foyer. Interment will be held at a later date at Holy Cross Cemetery in Welland, Ontario.

In memory of Hélène, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the Canadian Red Cross