Abell, Helen C. (Helen Caroline), 1917-2005

Helen Caroline Abell was a well-known and respected rural sociologist. Born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, in 1917, her family moved to Toronto, Ontario, where she was raised. She later attended the Macdonald Institute in Guelph and the University of Toronto for Home Economics, continuing on to gain a Masters (1947) and Ph.D. (1951) in rural sociology at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. Upon graduation, Dr. Abell moved back to Canada to head the Rural Sociology Research Unit for the Economic Division of Canada’s Department of Agriculture. She held this position from 1952-62. She moved on from there to teaching positions at the Ontario Agricultural College (1962-67), the University of Waterloo (1967-1972), and finally was Dean of Home Economics at the University of Saskatchewan from 1973-1974. While working with the federal Department of Agriculture and various universities, Abell was highly involved with international studies in the field of rural sociology. She completed projects for the Canadian International Development Agency (C.I.D.A.), UNESCO, and FAO. These projects involved such countries as Columbia, Ghana, Indonesia, Jamaica, and Nigeria, and explored such topics as the introduction of farm radio broadcasts in Ghana (a report later published by UNESCO). She published numerous studies, and became renowned as a speaker and consultant. Helen Abell also spent four years with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (during World War II), and a year as the Social Affairs Officer, Community Development Group, for the United Nations.

Helen C. Abell Collection, University of Guileph, viewed 11/2/21

https://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/archives/our-collections/agricultural-history-and-rural-heritage/helen-c-abell-collection

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DR. HELEN C. ABELL, PHD Helen Caroline Abell died on Saturday, April 2nd, 2005, at the Markham Stouffville Hospital. Born in Medicine Hat, Alberta on January 28th, 1917, she spent most of her growing up years in Toronto. She began her lifelong interest in rural people, agriculture and nutrition as a young person at the family cottage near Kingston, Ontario. One of Canada's first rural sociologists; she graduated from MacDonald Institute (OAC) in 1938 and went on to study at University of Toronto and Cornell University (NY), receiving her PHD in Rural Sociology in 1951. At Cornell she was one of the first women graduates from the doctoral program. She served, along with four of her brothers, in World War II when she was a member of the Canadian Women's Army Corp. (1942-45).

Her career was a combination of research assignments for CIDA, FAO and UNESCO and other interests, in rural parts of Jamaica, Nigeria, Columbia, Transki (South Africa), Bangledesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Ghana and Pakistan. From 1951 to 1961 she was the Head of the Rural Sociology Research Unit, Canada Department of Agriculture. The other part of her career in Canada was teaching at the graduate level of various universities: University of Guelph, University of Waterloo and University of Saskatchewan. Her original work and papers are housed in the Dr. Helen C. Abell Archives at the University of Guelph. The University recognized her contributions in 1997 with the conferring of an honorary doctor of laws degree.

Helen's interest in people, the outdoors, world events and her 'story telling' ability were her signature. A strong woman, she loved her work and the opportunity to understand and promote the experience of rural people at an important time of change for Canada and in other parts of the world.

Helen was predeceased by her parents and five brothers. She is survived by her brother, Robert (Annie) of Florida. Special aunt and friend to Helen Anne Abell (Richard Neary) of Kingston, Ontario and remembered by nieces and nephews in Canada and the US: Tom of Chicago; Mary Ellen (Fred) of Florida; Sara Lynn (Craig) of Oregon; Susan of Port Hope, Ontario; Marion (John) of Kingston, Ontario; Richard (Rosemary) of Cornwall, Ontario; John of Rhode Island; Jim of California, and their families. Special thanks to the caring staff of the Buckingham Manor, Stouffville, where Helen lived for the last three years.

At Helen's request, cremation has taken place. A memorial service in recognition of her life will be arranged to take place at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to the Salvation Army or another charity.

Obituary, Helen C. Abell, viewed 11/2/21

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/theglobeandmail/obituary.aspx?n=c-abell-helen&pid=189818591

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Name Entry: Abell, Helen C. (Helen Caroline), 1917-2005

Found Data: [ { "contributor": "VIAF", "form": "authorizedForm" }, { "contributor": "WorldCat", "form": "authorizedForm" } ]
Note: Contributors from initial SNAC EAC-CPF ingest