Obituary of Sheryn Lynn Helgason
It is with sadness we announce the passing of Sheryn Helgason on November 13, 2018 at Royal University Hospital at the age of 61. Sheryn will be lovingly remembered by her husband Stewart Coote; parents Fred and Deanna Helgason (Harkness); sister Kim (Bob) Weimer and their family, Trevor, Jeremy and Stefanie; brother Rick (Arlene) Helgason and their family, Chrystan (Wes) Mutimer (Keah, Briya, and Kainyn), Sheena (Mike) Dust (Tensley, Maris, and Kolsen); sister Lana Helgason and her family, Nial (Megan) (Jovi and Leif), Lance Allen, Chelsea Helgason. Also left to mourn are Stewart’s mother, siblings, and extended family, along with the NF2 family from various parts of the world.
Sheryn’s dad was a power lineman, so all her young life was moving from town to town. She graduated from Nipawin. She later graduated from Marvel Beauty School and worked as a hairdresser in Nipawin. After moving to Saskatoon, Sheryn began working for ASL Paving Ltd. She was driving big front-end loaders and semi trucks. Sheryn was Operations Coordinator with ASL when she was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2) in 1989 which forced her to leave work. She hated to have to leave the team. Stewart and Sheryn were married in 1989. She bravely fought her illness for 30 years. They bought an Arizona home; Sheryn loved that home and enjoyed the warm weather very much.
Sheryn was an advocate for NF2 studies. She traveled to (MIT) Boston, MA, and (NIH) Bethesda, Maryland. She traveled to conferences and participated in support groups to meet with her NF2 family from Canada, USA, and Australia.
Sheryn loved to travel and loved children. She was an excellent ball player; Sheryn and Kim were a pitcher catcher team. She played hockey, loved to swim and especially loved to watch Disney movies. She had some great memories of Chitek Lake and Fishing Lake where she learned to swim.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the medical team and nursing staff at Royal University Hospital Medicine 6200. For those wishing, donations may be made to the Saskatoon SPCA.
A come-and-go reception in celebration of Sheryn’s Life will be held on Friday, November 23, 2018 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel, DaVinci Room (405 20th St E).