Helen was quiet, shy, and I suspect somewhat delicate of health. She was an
accomplished pianist who might have gone to the concert stage but for her
nervous temperament. I well remember her practising several hours a day through
a classical repertoire, which when I hear any of it today immediately evokes
images of her and our house. One mistake my family made that I have always
regretted was to have Helen try to teach me the piano, instead of an outside
teacher. She tried valiantly for a little while, and I think perhaps I did too,
but little boys don't take readily to instructions from big sisters. Helen
belonged to the Junior League
,
an American-Canadian organization of young women doing charitable work. She was
a member of the Ladies' Morning Musical Club, for which she performed once or
twice.
From 3 Programs of the Ladies' Morning Musical Club
November 7th, 1912
MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSERS
Wagner-Liszt Spinning Song Piano Solo
From The Flying Dutchman
Miss Helen Merrett
December 18th, 1913
CHAMBER MUSIC
Chopin Impromptu, F sharp major, Op. 36 Piano Solo
Miss Helen Merrett
February 18th, 1915
MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSERS
Franz Liszt Polonaise, No. 2 Piano Solo
Miss Merrett
She was also a Girl Guide.
Helen had a couple of beaux I remember coming to tea on Ontario Avenue, but it was not until she was in her thirties and we were living in Westmount that she married Ernest MacDermot (see ``FAMILY'' album, p.42), a doctor attached to the Montreal General Hospital. They had two daughters, Audrey and Patricia, and they lived first in Northview Court off Côte des Neiges Road, and then in the Town of Mount Royal. They both died in the Villa Mount Royal residence, she in 1976, he in 1983.