Colette was the beloved daughter of Craig Helm (Ladeane) and Laura-Lee Vaughan (David), cherished sister of Christopher Helm (Chelsea), and loving step-sister to Devon and Aaron. She was a devoted and loving mother to Sadie and Sawyer, who were truly the center of her world. Colette was also a proud aunt to Pearce, Brooks, and Winslow, and a lifelong friend to Annabelle and Tanya.
Colette was a beautiful, carefree soul whose laughter, kindness, and adventurous spirit touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. She lived with an open heart and found joy in family, friendship, nature, and life’s simple moments. Her warmth and compassion made people feel welcomed, understood, and deeply loved.
She was a dedicated employee at the Pender Island Library, where she took great pride in serving her community and sharing her love of books, learning, and connection with others.
Colette was a cherished niece to Howard Helm (Kathy), Loren Ferguson (Gary), Patrick Corcoran, Daniel Corcoran, and Timothy Corcoran. She was predeceased by her grandparents, Fred and Lyn Gunther of Mississauga, Ontario, and Sally and Leo Corcoran of Toronto, Ontario.
To know Colette was to know kindness, laughter, and unconditional love. She had a gentle heart, a free spirit, and a remarkable way of bringing light into even the darkest moments. Her love for her children, family, and friends was immeasurable, and the memories she leaves behind will be treasured forever.
Though our hearts are shattered by this loss, we take comfort in knowing that Colette’s beautiful spirit will live on through the love she gave so freely and in the countless lives she touched.
She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten
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Laura Vaughan
My beautiful daughter, my best friend, my heart.
There are no words deep enough to express the pain of losing you, Colette. From the moment you came into this world, you filled it with light, laughter, compassion, and love. You were not only my daughter, but my confidante, my greatest joy, and one of the most extraordinary people I have ever known.
You loved fiercely and completely. As a mother to Sadie and Sawyer, you gave every part of yourself to your children. They were your pride, your purpose, and the center of your world. Watching you with them was to witness unconditional love in its purest form.
You brought warmth wherever you went. At the Pender Island Library, in your friendships, and within our family, people were drawn to your kindness, your gentle spirit, and your beautiful soul. You had a way of making others feel seen, heard, and cared for.
I will miss our talks, your laughter, your hugs, and even the quiet moments we shared together. I will miss hearing your voice and seeing your smile light up a room. Life will never be the same without you here, but I am forever grateful for every memory, every moment, and every piece of love you gave so freely.
Though your time with us was far too short, the love you leave behind is immeasurable. You will live on in your children, in the hearts of those who loved you, and in every memory we hold close.
Until we meet again, my sweet girl.
You will always be my daughter, my best friend, and my forever love.
Marie Dion
Dear family and friends of Collette,
On Saturday, May 9, I went to the library with a picture of a book cover on my phone, which I showed Collette. “Do you have this book?”, I asked. “Yes we do”, she responded, with her usual smile, and off she went to get it, me following. In a second, I had the book in my hands. Since it was from the Indigenous section, Collette took the opportunity to show me the changes in the library, which involved creating a more prominent Indigenous section and a more useable magazine section, with comfortable chairs opposite. I so appreciated the time she took and her genuine, personal touch. That will stay with me. You can be so proud of her.