October 31, 1947 – February 13, 2026
With heavy hearts, the family of Helena Neatham (affectionately known as Helen) of Rothesay, beloved wife of the late Ronald Neatham, announce her passing on Friday, February 13, 2026, at the Saint John Regional Hospital after a brief illness. Born on October 31, 1947, in Germany, Helen was the daughter of the late Gerhardt and Adelle (Berresheim) Bruckner.
At the age of 16, Helen and her sister, Ingeborg, moved to Toronto in 1963 in search of work opportunities and a better life. There she met the love of her life, Ron, in 1968, and they were married in 1971. In 1976, they made the decision to move to New Brunswick to join Ron’s parents, seeking a better work-life balance and to begin their family.
In 1979, they welcomed their first son, Charles, a perfect and beautiful baby boy. In 1982, with equal excitement, they welcomed their second son, Dallas, who lovingly brought a little extra energy and disruption to the household.
Helen was the matriarch of her family and a devoted wife and mother. Her strength, warmth, and resilience defined her. She built a life centered on family, loyalty, and enduring love, and her greatest joy was spending time with her family. She enjoyed travelling, especially spending winters in the Caribbean, and cherished gardening at her home during the summer months. Helen had a deep appreciation for art and loved collecting paintings, often visiting local auctions and art galleries along the eastern seaboard during family vacations.
Helen is survived by her sons, Charles of Rothesay and Dallas of the Cayman Islands; her daughter-in-law, Katherine; brother, Michael of Germany; and her sister, Ulrike of Germany. She will also be fondly remembered by her sister-in-law, Carol (Neatham) Finnamore, and her husband, Clayton; her nieces and nephews, Roberto, Luigi, Maria, and Sabrina of Ontario; Sascha, Michaela, Amadeus, and Maximilian of Germany; and John and Heidi of Sussex.
Besides her parents and husband, Helen was predeceased by her brothers, Norbert, Peter, and Thomas, and her sisters, Ingeborg, Agnes, and Charlotte.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB (506-634-7424). In keeping with Helen’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service.
For those who wish, the family would appreciate donations in remembrance of Helen be made to the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation in support of the Palliative Care Unit.
