Helen

Evangelakos MacDonald

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Helen Evangelakos MacDonald, who passed away on October 29, 2026, at the age of 63, at Cornwall Community Hospital.

Born in Greece, Helen immigrated to Canada at a young age and carried her Greek heritage proudly throughout her life. She cherished her roots, her traditions and, above all, the importance of family, love and bringing people together.

Helen had a heart as big as a house. Full of life, energy and generosity, she was the kind of person who would do anything for anyone. Her door was always open, and she gave freely without ever expecting anything in return. She had a special way of making everyone feel welcome, cared for and at home. Always putting others before herself, she made sure everyone around her was taken care of. You could often recognize Helen by her voice before even seeing her, as she was never one to go unnoticed.

Above all else, Helen devoted her life to her family. She was a loving and devoted wife to her husband, Dwayne, for 31½ years. As a mother, she gave her daughter the greatest gift of all: her time. Helen chose to raise Jennifer and dedicated her life to being present for every chapter of Jennifer’s. For 28 wonderful years, Jennifer was fortunate to have her mom by her side, guiding her, loving her and helping shape the woman she is today. Their bond was one of the greatest loves of Helen’s life, and a love that will remain with Jennifer forever.

Helen leaves behind her loving husband, Dwayne MacDonald; her beloved daughter, Jennifer Matte (Evangelakos MacDonald); and her son-in-law, Nathaniel Matte and family. She will also be lovingly remembered by her furry grandson, Tucker, who brought her so much happiness. She will be deeply missed by the MacDonald family, Judy and Gary Cote and family, Josee Duchesne and family, and the many friends and neighbours who, over 27 years, became family to her.

Helen loved having people around her. Her home was a gathering place, especially during the summer months when she enjoyed hosting pool parties, celebrations and get-togethers. She loved making memories, sharing laughter and ensuring nobody ever left her home hungry. Her Greek cooking was another expression of her love, and there was always room for one more at her table.

Creativity was a huge part of Helen’s life. Through her passion, Helen’s Handcrafted Decor, she shared her love for crafting and decorating, creating beautiful handmade pieces that brought warmth into people’s homes. She loved participating in craft shows and sharing a little piece of herself through her creations, where she also had the opportunity to meet many special friends, including Annie Laperle. Her own home reflected her creativity, with something special for every season and holiday. Christmas was especially close to her heart, when she transformed her home into a beautiful celebration of the season. She also loved gardening and had a natural green thumb, taking great pride in the beauty she created around her.

Helen had a special love for animals and birds, and her furry grandson Tucker held a particularly special place in her heart. Whether through caring for others, creating something beautiful or simply opening her home, Helen found happiness in making others feel loved and welcome.

Her absence leaves a space that can never be filled. Her kindness, generosity, unmistakable voice, strong spirit and endless love will live on in the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to have known her. She leaves behind countless memories and a reminder to love hard, be loud, give generously and always make room for one more at the table.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the paramedics who worked tirelessly to give us more precious time with Helen. We are forever grateful for those extra moments. A sincere thank-you is also extended to the ICU staff and respiratory therapists at Cornwall Community Hospital, as well as the dedicated staff at the Queensway Carleton Hospital ICU, for their compassion, care and kindness throughout this incredibly difficult time. Your efforts and support will never be forgotten.

Cremation has taken place.

Family and friends are invited to join in a Celebration of Life on Saturday, December 5, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Army Navy, South Side, 14 Marlborough Street, Cornwall, Ontario. Lunch will be served, and all who knew Helen and her family are welcome to come together to share memories and celebrate her life.

In keeping with Helen’s creative spirit, a table of her handmade crafts and creations will be available for guests to take home in exchange for a donation to Asthma Canada, an organization meaningful to her family.

Helen’s last words to Jennifer were:

“I love you forever and ever.”

And forever and ever, Helen will be loved.