Helen "Nellie". 1920 -2017. Helen Geddes Groff, known to family and friends as "Nellie", passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, Yorkton, SK. She was 97 years of age. Nellie was born February 25, 1920 in Scotland. The family came to Canada in 1925. She grew up on the family farm near Theodore, SK. In 1939 she met John "Johnnie" Groff and they were married on November, 11, 1939. Their eldest son, Beverley, was born in 1940; their second son, Gerry John, was born in 1944 but sadly passed away at only  a few days old and their third son, Stanley was born in 1949. Nellie and Johnnie farmed near Springside and after selling the farm they moved into the town of Springside. In 1996 they moved to the Queen Elizabeth Court in Yorkton. John passed away on January 13, 1998 and Nellie continued to live in the Queen Elizabeth Court until 2016 when she moved to the Lakeside Manor Care Home in Saltcoats, SK. Her Scottish heritage was always important to Nellie and in her younger years enjoyed highland dance and playing the bagpipes. Very talented with her hands, Nellie enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing and crafts of all kinds. In later years she watched television especially her favourite soap opera, "Young and Restless" and stayed on top of all the curling. While Johnnie was the gardener in the family, Nellie was the one who did all the canning and preserving from their large garden. She and Johnnie met at a St. Patrick's Day dance and they made a striking couple on the dance floor all the years of their marriage. She was predeceased by her husband, Johnnie; son, Gerry; parents, Mary and Joseph Stuart; sisters, Elizabeth, Mary and Elsie; brother, Charlie; great-granddaughter, Amber and granddaughter, Carol. She is survived by her sisters, Ruby, Margaret and Minnie and several nieces and nephews. Nellie leaves to mourn her passing, her eldest son, Beverley (Yvonne) and their family: grandsons, Derald (Barb), Rick (Dodi); great-granddaughter, Amy; great-grandsons, Riley and Devin; great-great-grandson, Connor; great-great-granddaughter, Hannah. Also left to cherish her memory is her son, Stan (Sheila) and their family: grandsons, Laurel (Leeann) and Robert (Allison); great-grandsons, Asher and Heath and great-grandchildren, Makayla, Brady, Dustin, Cheyenne and Skylar. Funeral services were held on Saturday, June 3, 2017 from the Chapel of Christie's Funeral Home with Reverend Deborah Smith presiding. The organist, Ruth Datema led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Amazing Grace" and "I'll Fly Away". Words of tribute and eulogy were shared by Ruth McPhee. Following a luncheon in the Gunn Reception Room at Christie's Funeral Home, the Interment Service was held in the Springside Town Cemetery with Derald Groff, Rick Groff, Riley Groff, Devin Yerex, Charley Stuart and Brian Esson serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
