Helen (Frost) Moonen

Millet

1908-2000

Description

Life and Work

Helen was the first born to Charles and Mildred Frost of Edmonton on August 24, 1908. She grew up with a sister, Ruth, and a brother, Bill. The Frost family grew up in Edmonton and attended Oliver School walking the mile to and from school daily in the mornings, after school and at lunch. Growing up Helen was involved in many activities around the city, and enjoyed school immensely. In a self-written story about her schooling as a child, she remembers it with a smile, and talks about how much she enjoyed school.

Helen was always interested in education and learning new things. She felt it was important for everyone to be educated and have a strong skill set. Perhaps this is a reason she wanted to become a teacher. Just after Normal School Helen met Henry, her soon to be husband. They were married July 24, 1931 while on a trip to Banff with Helen’s mother and brother as their witnesses. After they were married, Henry built them a log house on their land with the help of neighbors, friends and family. The house had oakum hammered into the cracks with old underwear for insulation. The cedar shingles, doors and windows came from Beaver Lumber in Millet.

During their life together Helen and Henry were blessed with two daughters, Ruth and Jane. The girls were involved in many activities, which also got Helen involved. She became a 4-H leader for the gardening and sewing clubs for 10 years.

Helen had a strong desire to educate women in the area about nutrition, food processing and the need for helping with the war effort. So in 1937 Helen organized the Lady Tweedsmuir Women’s Institute to help educate the farmwomen. She went on and founded the Golden Glow Women’s Institute in 1945.

Although a busy women, Helen always had time for new commitments. She was involved in many things like the Red Cross Society, Home and School Association, and the Alberta Lily Society just to name a few. She had a great interest in the town of Millet and recognized how important it is to preserve history. This lead to her involvement in the Millet and District Historical Society. Like many of the women mentioned today, Helen was also a key part to the creation of the Tales and Trails of Millet. Helen will always be recognized in the Museum as our permanent exhibit is named after her the “Helen Frost Moonen Gallery”, which is located downstairs of the Museum as our permanent exhibit.