HELEN TORBIAK

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HELEN TORBIAK

May 6, 1937 - February 11, 2025

Peacefully and in the presence of her family, Helen Torbiak’s story here with us came to a close. She rests now among the brightest stars and cherished memories. She is reunited with her husband Danny, who left us too soon in 2004.

Helen "Baba" Torbiak was born in Warmley, SK to Harry and Katharine Glitnak (Marykuca), among a small community of farm families. They moved to the Interlake district in Manitoba. Her father, a farmer and gifted horse trainer, died soon after. Helen’s mother remarried a local widower, Emil Bailley. Helen, her brother Bill and sister Mary gained a new sister, Natalie.

Helen attended the local school where she met Danny Torbiak, and recalled the other kids teasing her about this handsome boy. After high school Helen attended Success Commercial College in Winnipeg, then went to work at the Hudson’s Bay store office on Portage Avenue. Helen and Danny met up again and were married in 1956. They were inseparable until Danny passed away in 2004. Together they had many adventures, travelled around North America with the boys and RV trailer, and farther afield together across oceans. They tried their hand as hoteliers (Green Brier Inn, 1971 - 1976) and pizza purveyors (RJ’s, 1976 - 1977).

Our family moved frequently to advance Danny’s career. Helen did a great job running the household and raising the kids amid these moves. Helen was brilliant in many ways and far ahead of her time. She taught her three sons to read as pre-schoolers, largely to keep them occupied and less mischievous than they might have been otherwise. (Her success in this regard is an open question.) She grew her own vegetables, baked her own bread, could turn out a hundred dozen pyrohy a day, and asserted her right and need to have a life outside the home. She set examples of patience, excellence, and unconditional love for her fortunate family, her grandchildren, her many friends and neighbours. Her kitchen was frequented for many years by her sons’ study buddies, drinking pals, and all manner of ruffians. She never turned them away. On the contrary, she got them a second helping.

In her later years Helen was every bit as kind to her grandchildren - a listening ear, a comfy couch, study hall, crash pad, and well-stocked fridge always awaited.

After Danny passed away, she continued to operate her home on the same principles of generosity and kindness that had already made her a legend, with her beloved canine companion Zoey always close by waiting for a food scrap to fall off the counter. She was involved in many activities including bowling, painting, ceramics, crocheting, and international travel with her cousins, Marvin and Elsie Marykuca. She had a keen eye for decorating and fashion.

Eventually, Helen found the chores of keeping up the family home too difficult and made the wise choice to move to a seniors’ apartment while she still had agency and control over her decisions. Helen adopted the new handle "Baba" and held court for several more years. A stroke in 2019 dimmed her vision, damaged her memory and balance, but not her warmth and sense of humour. And she could still beat most challengers at Scrabble.

Through the rigors of COVID isolation and serious losses during the past five years, Baba’s sharp edges were worn down. She lost her big sister Mary in 2018, niece Gloria in 2019, brother Bill in 2021, close friends and her little roommate Zoey in 2020. She was also predeceased in 1996 by her stepsister Natalie Zdan (nee Bailley).

Helen was tragically predeceased more recently by her grandson Darren Torbiak, beloved son of Carl and Lee Ann in 2025. She leaves her sons and daughters-in-law, Dan and Dawn (Lindsay Torbiak and Ethan Bohn, little ones Sullivan and Orla, Andrew and Brittney Torbiak, Allison and Zach Raizman and baby Shia), Raymond and Roxanne (Tom Torbiak and Kirsten Humphrey, Theo, Calista and Sofia Torbiak, Liana Kantzavelos), Carl and Lee Ann (Amanda, Emily, and Alyssa Torbiak) and a large fan club of many great friends and neighbours.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Sturgeon Creek I Retirement Community for their years of kindness and service. Aicelle and Imelda Garcia helped us as incredible supports and true friends devoted to our mom’s well-being. Corazon, Sharon and Molly were kind, careful and compassionate caregivers.

The staff of 3 South at the Grace deserve special mention for their care during Baba’s brief final illness. Dr. Russell Albak was Baba’s family doctor for decades, and indeed looked after several of our family members with genuine interest in our well-being as people and as patients. More recently Baba was under the care of Dr. Corey Knickle, who provided the same high level of skill and care. For all the above we are fortunate and grateful.

We will miss our mom, friend, Auntie and Baba forever. She’s either walking Zoey or playing cards with Gido and those who have gone before.

In Helen’s memory, please consider a donation to the Winnipeg Humane Society, the Alzheimer Society, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

A Celebration of Life will be held on the weekend of July 19 - 20, 2025 in Winnipeg.

Vichnaya Pamyat!

KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL

(204) 956 - 2193

Tribute links:

www.korbanchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 29, 2025