Helen has been playing the violin for eighty years!
She’s a Manitoba gal; so, in addition to her music lessons, she enjoyed cold weather sports. When she was young she became a competitive speed skater, and later tried figure skating. And she practiced ice dancing with a a lovely RCMP officer, whose detachment was near the rink!
She studied History, English, Philosophy and Latin at university, and also attended a business college. She put her secretarial skills to use in children’s hospitals in Winnipeg and Toronto. She also spent many years at the Cobourg Public Library.
She is a founding member of the Northumberland Orchestra Society (now NOC) and has performed with the orchestra since the organization’s inception in 1978.
In the past she enjoyed playing in the pit orchestra for local productions of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. Helen is also a member of the Corktown Fiddlers, where she is famous for her solo rendition of The Irish Washerwoman.
The Walkers have participated in four home exchanges, which took them to two continents. They have passed on their love of adventure to their daughters Heather and Alison.
Many years ago, she and her family emigrated to Australia, because the climate was better for her husband’s health. A cake, complete with sketches in icing of a violin and a kangaroo, was brought to Helen’s last rehearsal. At the break, musicians went into the adjoining hall, only to discover that someone had stolen the cake! Although Helen never had a chance to taste it, she does have a photo taken before the theft. When their house north of Cobourg didn’t sell, the Walkers returned to Canada.
Although travel was a big part of her life – including riding in her grandson’s small plane – these days she spends her time reading, enjoying a good cup of tea, and spoiling her wonderful cat, Winston. And every Thursday morning she listens to our music director, John Kraus, who hosts his own radio show.
Her philosophy of life can be expressed in the simple maxim, one day at a time!