Louisa
(Dolly) Helmcken
1862-1939
![](images/student_corner_student_life_dolly_helmcken.jpg) |
Harry
& Dolly Helmcken
BC Archives #HP19017
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While
Dolly studied at St. Anns Academy for several years, she
was described as having a happy disposition and lots of friends.
Dolly
excelled at arts and crafts, especially in needlework and ceramic
painting. She also wrote and illustrated a childrens book.
click
here to read it
After
she finished her schooling at St. Anns, Dolly was sent to
finishing school in Toronto. She had shown exceptional talent
in art and music, and went to London, England in 1882-3 to further
study this. Her aunt accompanied her, and she traveled extensively
through Germany, Switzerland, France and Italy. Shortly after
she returned to Victoria, she married Williams Ralph Higgins in
April 1889.
Throughout
her life, Dolly had been involved with charitable work. She was
also active in womens activities in the Church, as well
as carrying out other less public charitable works. Upon her death,
Dollys ashes were placed in the family plot at Ross Bay
cemetery. Her obituary describes her as a fairy godmother
to many lonely, sick and poor people who might otherwise have
been forgotten.
Activity:
1.
Autograph books were a popular thing during this time, and
often contained poetry, drawings and pictures. Create a
book filled with your favorite poetry, artwork and anything
else youd like to include.
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