Mrs. Sydonie “Syd” Helgeson nee Fitzgerald of Lethbridge, formerly of Del Bonita, and beloved wife of the late Mr. Terry Cecil Helgeson, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at the Raymond Health Center on Thursday, November 28, 2024 at the age of 84 years.

Syd was born in Calgary, Alberta on October 15, 1940 to Walter “Fuzzy” Bradley Fitzgerald and Eileen Gertrude Ann Fitzgerald nee Waters. Syd attended school in Coutts, Alberta after which she attended Olds College, taking Home Economics and played basketball with Olds first girls basketball team. After one year at Olds, she rekindled her old flame with Terry (her cowboy) and marriage plans were eminent.

They married later that year on October 9, 1958, in Del Bonita at the United Church. After a brief stay at the Chinook Motel, they continued their honeymoon in Bassano, Alberta where for the first time she met her new mother-in-law. After the honeymoon they returned to Del Bonita and moved into their cozy new shack (mom’s words), where they started their family on December 2, 1959, when Kelly was born. Brad followed on May 28, 1961, and then Street was born on July 25, 1972.

Syd was very active in the community, playing many years on the ladies softball teams and was active in all the local ladies clubs.

In the early 1970’s, Terry and Syd started driving school bus and if you’re from Del Bonita and were born in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s, you rode on Syd’s bus.

After retiring from the farm, Terry and Syd moved to Lethbridge where she resided until her passing.

Besides her loving husband Terry, Syd was pre-deceased by her parents Walter and Eileen Fitzgerald and her sister Marianne Thompson.

Syd was survived by her daughter Kelly (Eric) Patterson; sons Brad (Vynet) Helgeson; Street (Kim) Helgeson; grandchildren Chad (Cheryl) Patterson, Wayne (Leanne) Patterson, Kelsey (Jessi) Helgeson, McKensi Helgeson, Casidy (Brandon) Helgeson, Chase (Megan) Helgeson, Kayley (Casey) Powlesland; great-grandchildren Alexia, Aries, Mati, Mason, Merek, Daxx, Lilee, Beckham, Banks, Aspen, Wells, Bodie; great-great grandchild Ellie Rose; brothers Jack Fitzgerald, Jim Fitzgerald; sister Jane (Bill) Anderson as well as numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

A special thanks to the Doctors and staff of the Raymond Health Center for the kind and compassionate care our mother and family received.

A Funeral Service will be held at 1:00pm, on Friday, December 6, 2024, at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 STREET SOUTH, Lethbridge, Alberta. To watch Syd’s service via livestream, please go to https://www.mbfunerals.com/obituary/Sydonie-Helgesonand scroll to the bottom of the obituary page.

Interment will follow at Magrath Cemetery, Magrath, Alberta.