Born ca. 1934 at Souris, Manitoba, Helen Hase Lumby grew up in Saskatoon where she married John Donald Lumby in 1956. They had three children, Lisa, John Jr., and Jeff.
In Saskatoon, she worked as a writer, producer, operator and performer with CFQC Radio and CFQC-TV in the 1950s. She co-hosted the CFQC programmes "Little People" and "Carnival" in 1957-1958. She also produced the children's television show "Miss Helen's Kindergarten", which aired from 1956-1962, and in the 1960s she was co-host of CBC radio's "The Passing Show", a fifteen minute arts and entertainment program.
From 1961-1981, she and husband John operated a film, photography, television and audio production company under the names Lumby Productions (1965-1981) and Size Small Productions (1981-1988). Helen worked primarily writing advertising copy and doing voice-overs for radio commercials. She also produced and was featured in the "Miss Helen's Kindergarten Party" phonograph records. She was also active in the public relations aspects of Lumby Productions including print, radio and television advertising, press releases, brochures and promotional films.