HELEN CLEMENT (HALYNA MATUSEWYCZ) -

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

HELEN CLEMENT (nee HALYNA MATUSEWYCZ) 1945 - 2009 Goodbye my family and friends! I have finally passed away on July 8, 2009 after a seven year battle with cancer. I am a woman who tried to live my life with dignity, grace and to have more concern for others than myself. I did my best to make the process as easy as possible for my family. I will sadly miss my husband Ray after 42 years of marriage but I know my sons and daughters-in-law will take good care of him. We raised three wonderful sons whom I leave behind: Robert (Stephanie), Scott (Nicole) and Grant. They presented me with three precious grandchildren: Kate, Cassandra and Zachary. I loved them in a way only a grandmother could; taking great joy in showering them in hugs and kisses. I will miss them dearly. I also leave behind my sister Natalie (Glen) Olafson and my beautiful niece Amber. I was predeceased by my parents Tatjana Morgenenko and Anatole Matusewycz. I immigrated to Canada at the age of two with my parents. Prior to coming to Canada we spent one year in a Displaced Persons Refugee Camp and then one year in a labour camp in Salzburg, Austria, where I was born. At the age of eighteen I received my Canadian Citizenship. It was one of the proudest moments of my life. In 1963 at the age of eighteen, I finished high school and enrolled in an Operating Room Technician Course at the Winnipeg General High School. I worked as an Operating Room Technician until my first child was born in 1968. I continued to work casually after my other two children were born. Ray and I were high school sweethearts and married in 1967. Throughout our lives, we travelled extensively together to many exotic locations. Oh what good times we had! During the cold winter months in Winnipeg we were able to enjoy condo living in Palm Springs with our friends. Many times our children and grandchildren joined us and we enjoyed all the tourist sites California has to offer children. Once summer/spring arrived we would head off to our cottage in Ontario. I loved the lake house and cherished the many good memories spent with my family and friends. This cottage and golfing was an integral part of my later life. Before cancer took away my health I would spend many hours on the golf course or staring out at the million dollar lake view a view I could never tire of. In many ways I was a private person. I felt I was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. I felt I had a sympathetic ear that everyone could rely on for advice or encouragement. My joy in life was the happiness of my family and time spent with close friends. I want to thank my life long friend Tina and many more friends that I just don't have the time and energy to mention. Tina, we've been friends and have actually considered ourselves sisters for more years than I can count. We had such good times with our husbands and children and all the wonderful holidays spent together. A very special thank you to your family and I consider them my family too. Kathy and Lorena, you have made this dying so much easier with your love, encouragement and care. You are truly my special angels. I will miss you both and I want you both to have a good and happy life. Thank you to Dr. B. Yip. Thanks also to Dr. P. Daeninck. Thanks also to Tracy and all the wonderful staff at CancerCare MB. A special thanks to the caring and skilled team of doctors, nurses and support staff on St. Boniface Palliative Care Unit, for significantly improving my quality of life during my final days. Although I love flowers I would prefer a donation in my memory to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation, 675 McDermot Avenue, Room ON 1160, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9 or the WRHA Palliative Care Program. In respect of my wishes there will be a memorial service on July 14 at 2:00 p.m. in St. Timothy's Parish, 135 John Forsyth Rd. with Father Kevin Bettens officiating. I love you all and will miss you more than words can say. The Coutu family in care of arrangements: E.J. COUTU CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS 680 Archibald St. 253-5086

Make a donation to

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 11, 2009