MULLIGAN, HELEN nee (Kerbes) passed away on Thursday April 3, 2014 at Haven Hill Retirement Centre. Helen was 91 years of age. Helen was born in Stettler, Alberta on December 30, 1922. She was part of a large family with 8 brothers and sisters. She was raised on a farm and attended Spring Lake School, where she was a good student, and excelled in music. Helen loved music from an early age, and became part of a family band when she was only 11 years old. She played the piano in both the school and family band, and was also an excellent singer. She won the highest marks on record for the Central Alberta singing contest, and became quite well known as an excellent pianist and singer, as she played and sang at various dances, rodeos, and other events throughout Central Alberta. After her graduation from high school, she left Alberta and moved to Vancouver in 1941, where she worked for the Boeing Aircraft Company, and built P.B.Y.'s (Catalina aircraft) for the war effort. She continued her love for music in Vancouver, and played at many dances, put on by the military forces, and many civilian groups as well. After the war was over, Helen moved back to Stettler, Alberta, where she married Pat Mulligan. In 1948, Helen and Pat moved to Penticton, where they started thir family. During the post-war years, Helen kept busy by raising 4 children, and continuing her love of music by playing the piano in various dance bands. During the 1960's, Helen played at many dances throughout the Okanagan Valley in a band she started with her 3 sons, and 2 other musicians. There was no doubt that Helen was the leader of the band. As her children grew up, she contunued her 40-year music career playing for service clubs, and volunteering to play the piano at many retirement homes, where she was very popular with the staff and residents alike. Helen will always be remembered for her life-long love of animals, and the saving of so many stray and orphan pets, mostly cats. She loved all her farm animals from her childhood, especially the cats, dog, & horses, and her yard was always a haven for all animlals, domestic or wild...she would never turn any animal away without trying to free it first. Helen was pre-deceased by brothers Alex and Archie Kerbes, sisters Geneva Parker, Julia Hennel, Hilda Dancox, and husband Pat Mulligan. She is survived by brothers James Kerbes of Boyle, Alberta, Ernest and Irene Kerbes of Stettler, Alberta, and sister Marjorie Olive of Big Valley, Alberta. Sons Pat (Debbie) of Penticton, Seann (Rhoda) of Tuscon, Arizona, Don of Penticton, daughter Maureen (David) of Calgary, Alberta, six grandchildren, and one great grandson. Helen will be cremated and interned at the Penticton Cemetary at a later date. The family wishes to thank all the staff of Haven Hill for making her final years more comfortable. Our family has always tried to pay tribute to Helen by coining the phrase "To the Lady that painted Everything".