Newfoundland War Brides

Ellen O’Leary was born in Glasgow, Scotland,1920. She served with the ATS from 12th June, 1942 to 18th May, 1944. She married Jim O’Leary. She arrived in Newfoundland in December of 1945.

Ellen (Helen) O'Leary

Born: 1920
Maiden name:
From: Glasgow, Scotland
Occupation: ATS
Husband: Jim O’Leary
Date of Marriage:
Date of Departure: Dec 6, 1945
Ships Name: SS Burgeo
Arrived in NL: December of 1945
Port of Arrival:
Settled in: St. John’s
Children: Frank, Margaret

Passed peacefully away at the L.A. Miller Centre Palliative Care Unit on Thursday, March 29, 2007 surrounded by her loving family Helen O’Leary, long time employee of Bowring Brothers, aged 86 years. Predeceased by her husband Jim (Richard), 1990 and son David, 2001. Helen leaves to mourn with loving and cherished memories one daughter Margaret Benmore (Fred); four sons: Wayne (Pam, deceased), Kevin (Ros), Edward (Teri), Francis (Cathy) with whom she resided and daughter-in-law Kay. She will be sadly missed by her eighteen grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; special friend Maureen O’Brien; sisters-in-law: Betty McGuiness (William, deceased) of Glasgow, Scotland, Gertrude O’Leary (Michael, deceased), Margaret Kenny (Ray), Frances Buckley (Richard); many nieces and nephews both in Scotland and Newfoundland and a very large circle of friends. Helen was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1921 and came to Newfoundland as a War Bride with her husband, Jim (Richard) in 1946. Throughout the years Helen kept in close contact with her War Brides... Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, April 2, 2007 at 9:30 am from the Basilica of St. John the Baptist. Interment at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

To the world she was a mother,
to us she was the world.
Rest in Peace Dear Mother
We’re No ‘Awa’ Tae Bide Awa’
(I’m not away to stay away,
I’ll come back and see ya)