Helen Ruth Katherine Peters
March 19, 1942 to January 8, 2026
Obituary
Date of Celebration of Life Event to Be Announced
Helen Ruth Katherine Peters
Passed peacefully away in St. John’s on January 8, at the age of 83, from a neurological ailment. Predeceased by her father Dr. E.S. (Pete) Peters in 1990 and her mother Ruth Katherine Peters (Story), in 2000. Leaving to mourn is her loving spouse of 45 years, Henry Tremblay; sister Jan; brother Bruce; nephews Barry and Blaise; and a large circle of cherished family, friends and colleagues.
Helen’s first career was as a Medical Laboratory Technologist from 1963-69. She obtained B.A. Honor’s English (1971) and M.A. English (1972) degrees from the Memorial University of Newfoundland. She was a holder of the University Medal in English in 1971. She went to Oxford University for doctoral studies, where she was a Mary Somerville Fellow. She obtained a D.Phil. English degree in 1978 with a thesis on John Donne. The book won the British Academy’s Rose Mary Crawshay Prize in 1981. (The Rose Mary Crawshay Prize is a prestigious literary award established in 1888, specifically recognizing the contributions of female scholars in the field of English literature.) She taught in the Department of English at the University of Ottawa 1978-83. She joined the faculty of Memorial University in 1984, retiring in 2004. Throughout her career, Helen operated with unwavering dedication and commitment to documenting and sharing the extraordinary cultural depth of Newfoundland and Labrador’s artistic community, including serving as a member of the board of the Newfoundland Quarterly, producing an edition of The Plays of CODCO, and convening a workshop for the International Federation for Theatre Research, which resulted in a special publication of the journal Theatre Research International. In 1996, she also edited and published a collection of Newfoundland and Labrador plays, Stars in the Sky Morning. Helen followed the vision of her uncle Dr. George Story: that the past is alive in a living language evolving over time.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Member Editorial Committee, Newfoundland Quarterly, 2002-2006.
Member of Board of Directors of the Random Passage film set Community initiative, New Bonaventure, 2003-2006.
Member Board of Directors, Wonderbolt Circus, 2005-2006.
Adjudicator, Provincial High School Theatre Festival, Grand Falls-Windsor, May 11-13, 2006.
International Federation for Theatre Research (IFTR) 1989-98; member of Executive 1995-1998
Association of Canadian Theatre Research (ACTR) 1992-1996; member of Executive 1994-1996.
Writers Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador (WANL) 1992-2006.
WANL Board Member 2001-03; Reading Committee 2001-2003.
Resource Centre for the Arts, (RCA) 1990-2006; Board of Directors, 1992-1994, 2000-2001;
RCA Theatre Programing Committee, 1992-1996, 2000-2001; Summer Programming Committee 2002-2003.
Local Playwrights’ Festival organized by Theater Network and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center; committee member, 1997; member steering committee 1998-1999. New London, CT
Mystic Arts Cafe; member of steering committee 1998-1999. Mystic, CT
Association of Cultural Industries 1999-2006; Board Member 2001-2002.
Newfoundland Historical Society, 2004-2006.
Newfoundland Arts Council (Arts NL) (Council Member 2012-2017
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_Peters
Her family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staff of the Fairhaven Ward at The Agnes Pratt Home for your unwavering professional caring and support.
ear Henry. No words can express how sorry I am for the loss of your partner. It wasn’t all that long ago when I first met you both at Lise and Herb’s. I have since learned that Helen had an incredible career. We were saddened to hear of her illness.
I hope your adventurous life together will always bring you happy memories. Please accept my sincerest condolences at this time.
Our sincere condolences to Henry and the families. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone during this difficult time.
Dear Henry, Kristin and I are so sorry for your loss. Helen was so kind and always took the time to talk with me whenever she called in or visited the office to see you. And Kristin always enjoyed speaking with Helen at our company events. You and the family will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Jan, Bruce, Henry,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Helen.
Her work to share the culture of our Province was exceptional.
I am especially appreciative of her work on the preservation of the history of the Peters Family.
Sincere Condolences.
Helen was a beautiful person and it was a true pleasure to know her. Chris and I are so sorry for your loss Henry, Jan and Bruce. Her memory will endure.
Condolences to her family
Henry,Jan and Skipper Bruce,so sad to hear this today.We have lost touch over the years but will try to reach out very soon.
Love Cousin Rich and Jenn. in the Big Land
Henry, I am so sorry for your loss. I recall meeting Helen at a few BDS functions. The conversation was always so intriguing. Condolences to all the family.
Janet – so sorry to hear of your sister’s passing. Brings back memories of Corner Brook.
To all of Helen’s Family..
May your hearts receive some comfort to know how much she was loved and respected by so many people.
With my deepest sympathy,
Sue Roberts.
Rise like a Phoenix from the ashes of our discontent love you forever from the other. side of the pond 🙏🙏🙏
Jan and extended family, Our sincere condolences to each of you . Helen leaves a big void in your lives, but she also leaves a huge contribution to the cultural life of our province. May she rest in peace.
Jan : We send along our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Jan : We send along our sincere condolences to you and your family. Ann Marie and Ken Hann
Bruce, Barry and Blaze. My condolences on the passing of your sister and aunt. I shall rember her in my prayers and Masses.
Condolences to Henry and Family. Such a beautiful tribute to someone so involved in many areas of our society and our culture.
So sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. Thinking of Henry and all her family and friends during these difficult days
To Henry, Bruce and Jan, we extend our warmest condolences for your immense loss. Helen was such a beacon to so many in her long career. And to Henry, we hope the knowledge of how much your caring and steadfast nature had made such difference to Helen as she progressed through her illness must give you some comfort as you grieve her loss.
Goodbye Helen. Your rich legacy of scholarly and cultural engagement will live with countless people for generations and generations. ‘Wish I’d spent more time within your circle of warmth and wisdom. Thinking of your family in their sorrow., especially Bruce and Jan, long time friends from shared Corner Brook childhoods.
To Janet and Henry; so sorry to hear of Helens passing. May God bless you both at this time of sadness.
Helen was a kind and compassionate soul, with the eye of a brilliant editor. She was the first person to tell me that not only could I write, but that I needed to write. She gave me encouragement 36 years ago that set me on a path. In so many ways, I would never have had the career I did without her. While I recall her words, I remember her conviction. She is a huge loss. My sincere condolences to all who grieve her loss, and there are many.
Helen was an accomplished and lovely woman and we send our heartfelt condolences to Henry, Bruce, Jan and the family.
We were sad to hear of Helen’s passing. Henry and family, our sincere condolences. We are thinking of you.
Helen, always gracious and kind.
I’m grateful for having met her..
My condolences to Jan, Henry and Bruce.
we were saddened to hear of Helen’s passing. Her love of this province and our rich communities were evident through life and contributions. Her partnership with Henry conveyed such caring and love.
Our condolences to Henry, Jan and her family and friends. Carolyn and Gloria
Henry and Jan, my sincere sympathy goes out to you as you mourn the loss of Helen, whom you both loved so much. Our relationship goes back to our teen years, she was one of the bridesmaid at my wedding, I visited her with my children when she was studying at Oxford, and through the years we have kept loosely in touch. Helen never changed. She was always herself, a forward thinker, pleasant, quiet yet very strong with a wonderful sense of humour. I have seen her more in the past few years and have been touched by the love that she and you shared, Henry, especially recently when she needed that extra support and understanding. My thoughts are with you every day – take care.
Jan and family, my thoughts are with you as you grieve Helen’s passing. She was pleasant, positive and keen. May her Spirit soar.
Such sad news. Helen’s kindness and warmth were so lovely, and her many contributions to the arts community exceedingly generous. My condolences to all Helen’s family and friends.
Gregor and I are so sad to learn of Helen’s passing. We send our deepest condolences to Henry and their family.
We came to know Helen as our wonderful and welcoming downtown neighbour and as a friend to me upon my return to living in St. John’s. I really appreciated her kindness. Gregor and I so enjoyed getting to know both Helen and Henry and were deeply saddened to learn in recent years of Helen’s poor heath..
Rest in peace dear lady.
Dear Henry, Jan, Bruce and family,
Today we are tearful upon learning that Helen’s happy and productive life has come to an end. We have known your family for more than five decades. Outings, dinner parties and shared occasions were some of the highlights of our time in Newfoundland and subsequent visits.
Dr. Helen Peters accomplishments, in the fields of literature and education, were many.. We will always
remember her for her cheerful, sensitive nature – a
person who steadfastly and wholeheartedly contributed to the promotion of the arts and the artists in Newfoundland.
Henry, we remember how you and Helen supported each other and enjoyed travels abroad. Then later we saw how well you cared for Helen by organizing each day to be special and dedicated your time to make her last years the best they could be. We’re grateful.
Very sorry to hear this sad news. about Helen. A Southsider to the core who contributed deeply to preserving our Newfoundland culture.
What a legacy !!!
All my condolences and sympathies to family, Henry, Bruce, Jann, Barry and Blaise. Helen was a great person and left us a big professional contribution and legacy.
Henry, Jan and Bruce. So sorry to hear of Helen’s passing.
Jan and family, we extend our sincerest condolences.
Oh Helen – exquisite Professor, advocate and champion, and friend. I’ll miss your singing voice, wry humour, gentle and fierce intelligence., and your sweet smile.
Condolences and hugs to Henry and Jan and family.,
Louise Moyes
Dear Henry: Jina, Adelaide, Chloe and I extend our deepest sympathies for your loss. You and Helen made a great team. Our memories of her include the Mystic Seaport Lantern Light play aboard the ship, the best tour guide during Spousal Program at our UC events, reading to our girls to encourage them in their love of books, and always being the one Jina and I wanted to sit next to at the annual company Christmas Party. Helen left a legacy of kindness, humor and love.
We’re very saddened to learn of Helen’s passing. She was a cherished colleague and valued friend. We both started teaching at Memorial in 1984. With a doctorate from Oxford and a book on John Donne, Helen could have taught anywhere, but she chose to return to St. John’s. Like her uncle, George Story, she was a highly regarded Renaissance scholar who also enriched the study of Newfoundland English. The book launch of Helen’s edition of The Plays of CODCO in 1992 was a pivotal event. Helen’s contribution to Newfoundland studies will continue to inspire students, scholars, and dramatists alike. As Donne wrote, “some of their sad friends do say / The breath goes now, and some say, No.”
Dear Henry and family: Tania and I extend our deepest sympathies for your loss. Helen provided Tania with her fondest memories of St-John’s. I always marvelled at how your two minds and souls were so intertwined. During this time of sadness we need to draw on the memories of a life well lived. Sincerely; Garland and Tania.
I haven’t seen her in many years, but I specifically sought her out as a professor while completing my English degree. She was an excellent professor and a lovely person. My sincere condolences to her family.
Our deepest condolences to Henry and the family. Helen’s smile and radiant personality brought warmth to every gathering. May she rest in peace.
Henry, Bruce and Jan we were so sorry to learn of Helen’s passing. Meeting her at your family gatherings over the years always led to an engaging and fun conversation when Helen was there.. Great memories.
Rick and Pauline Gill
I’m very sorry for your loss Henry and Family.
Dear Jan,
So sorry to learn of the loss of your sister.
May previous memories, family and friends support you during this time of grief.
Big hugs
Chris
To Jan and family. So sorry for your loss. Always sad to say goodbye. Memories are wonderful
Although I have not seen Helen for several decades, I do have warm memories of having her as a lecturer in a Graduate Course at MUN. Her knowledge of her subject , combined with her amazing skill in imparting information in an assertive yet sensitive manner, has made her course memorable even after all those years.
May she rest in peace.
Don Harvey
Jan, sincere condolences in the loss of your sister. May you find comfort, knowing Helen is now at peace.
I am very sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. She was a dear colleague of mine and a strong voice in the arts community. My sincere condolences to Henry and the rest of her family.
Tom Dawe
Henry, Ban and I send our condolences on your loss. We remember Helen fondly. Your care for her was a model of how any of us would like to be cared for. Certainly she left this life knowing she was much loved.
My deepest condolences to family and friends at this sad time. Helen was a wonderful woman and I’m grateful for her contributions to our cultural community.
My sincere condolences.
My deepest condolences to the family she was a wonderful person
Please accept my sincere condolences.
-Nina Goudie.
We are saddened to hear of the passing of dear Helen Peters. We considered Helen a guiding light whose generosity and caring spirit was so special to us and to all she encountered in this world. Our sincere condolences good Henry, and Jan and Bruce.
Love,
Derek and Vicky
I’m so sad to hear of Helen’s passing. Her contribution to our community and culture was so massive. I consider myself luck to have been in her orbit. My deepest condolences to Henry and the rest of her family.
Deepest condolences to Henry and Bruce and Jan and all who loved her. Travel well, my dear cousin.
Deepest condolences to Henry and family. Helen was my favorite conversationalist and took care of our customer spousal program so well during our annual conferences across the Americas. “Tour Guide Barbie” will be fondly remembered for this and the plethora professional achievements dotting her long and varied career. Rest in Peace, ‘The Good Doctor;)’😘
I send solace and sweet ease as Helen goes on ahead. She was generous and rigorous in her support for the arts community and will continue to be missed. Comfort and condolences to those who loved her… May her memory be a blessing.
Dear Henry, such a loss. I am sure you are feeling Helen’s passing very deeply. The way you cared for her not only throughout your life together, but especially in the last years of her illness, is very moving and an example to all of us. Helen was a unique woman, a great supporter of the arts and a woman I greatly admired. Beni and I share in your grief.
So very sorry to hear this. What a wonderful woman she was, and what a huge loss to the artistic community. I am among the many to benefit from her wisdom, insight and moral support.- so rare and precious. Deepest condolences to us all who loved her, especially Henry and family.
May I express my condolences to Henry, Jan, Bruce and other family members. And to Henry, your support for Helen during her illness was exemplary in all respects . Helen was so fortunate t have you in her life as you were to have Helen in your life . I am so sorry about this profound loss and I hope you cherish the memories to help you overcome the grief associated with the loss of a very special person.
Kindest Regards
Chris O’Dea
To:: Henry & Family. I was so sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. She was a big part and supporter of The Theatre Community in St. John’s. I met her when she compiled and published “Stars in the Sky Morning ” an anthology of Newfoundland plays which ” Stars in the Sky Morning” was also the name of Rhonda Payne’s play which was co-written and performed by myself & our director Jan Henderson. Helen and I became friends and had many dinners and cups of tea. I shall miss her brilliance, her warmth & kindness.