Helen Rainville Olders Memorial Website

In loving memory of Helen Patricia Rainville, who passed away in July 2019

    The Helen Rainville Olders Music Award

    Helen at music stand surrounded by Celtic harps.

    About the Helen Rainville Olders
    Music Award

    In Spring 2024, on the fiftieth anniversary of Helen’s graduation from Villa Maria School, her family and friends created an annual award to honour her memory.

    The letter accompanying the award reads:
    “The Helen Rainville Olders Music Award is given to two secondary four students who, through their commitment to music, endeavour with passion, generosity, and humility to bring beauty and joy to their community.
    Helen Rainville (Villa Maria 1974; Governor General’s Academic Medal, Science Prize) went on to Health Science and Music at Marianopolis College and a B. Mus. at McGill University. Enthusiastic participant in musical theatre and ice dancing, she sewed her own costumes. As a teen, she sang in Saint Malachy’s choir, learning to play organ, and eventually becoming Director of Music. Liturgical musician, woman of faith, and tireless community volunteer, she touched many with her angelic voice. Later in life, Helen married Henry Olders, and discovered a new vocation as stepmother. After successfully battling endometrial cancer, she succumbed to colon cancer in 2019.
    This award is given in Helen’s memory by family, classmates, and friends, who continue to be inspired by her indomitable courage, generosity, and love.”

    The award recipients are chosen by their music teachers. In addition to a trophy, a certificate and letter, recipients receive a cheque. In June 2024, each of the two recipients received $250.

    Funding

    With an initial grant of $5000 by Henry Olders, contributions by over 60 friends and family members brought the total principal amount to near $20,000 (as of April 2025), held in the “Helen Rainville Olders Memorial Endowment Fund” administered by the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal (JCF; https://jcfmontreal.org/). As 5% of the principal amount is available each year, in coming years we expect that each of the two recipients will receive $500 or more.

    If you would like to contribute, you can make a gift by phone (Wendy Grossbaum, 1-514-734-1592); or by mailing a cheque to JCF with the fund name in the memo line. JCF will provide a receipt for income tax purposes for donations over $18.

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