HELEN SAFINIUK (CYMBALISTY)

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HELEN SAFINIUK (nee CYMBALISTY) Peacefully, surrounded by her family, Helen passed away at Riverview Health Centre after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. She was predeceased by her husband Mike Safiniuk, her daughter Eileen (Art) de Sousa, her granddaughter Caitie Safiniuk, and her parents Anne and Emil Cymbalisty. She is survived by her daughters Marlene (Stan) Ward, Beverly (Al) Rich, Elizabeth (Larry) Golis, Theresa (Dennis) Lewis; by her sons Mike (Debbie), Alan (Debbie) and Barry; and by her sister Marie and brother Steve (Joan). She also leaves to mourn her loss 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Mom was born in Bolshiw, Poland on September 24, 1924. Wishing for a better life for their children, her parents decided to immigrate to Canada. In 1927, Emil left his family in Poland and eventually settled in what is now West St. Paul. The dirty thirties recession set in soon after and it wasn't until 1937 that Mom, Baba and Auntie Marie joined Gida in Canada. Soon after, her brother Steve was born and together the reunited family earned a living from the land. Despite the challenges of a new country and language, Mom excelled in school and displayed her love of the written word by reading each and every book that her Emesville teacher provided to her. Auntie Marie fondly remembers the barn dances that she and her sister Helen went to. Mom learned all of the dances and it was this early exposure to dance and music that nurtured a love for these arts that lasted with Mom throughout her life. It was at one of those barn dances that Mom met and then married Mike; eventually settling in Blackdale where they farmed and raised eight children. Throughout her life Mom had a green thumb. Her vegetable gardens were always bountiful and her flowers were always tended to with the love and care that Mom always gave to those around her. Mom's cooking was always A-1 whether it was her perogies; holupchi; nilisnika; creamed chicken; baked rice and wieners; wild mushroom soup; or her sumptuous preserves apple sauce, rhubarb and blueberries; saskatoons; peaches; and pears. She was also known as a sometime home brewer her raspberry wine was extraordinary and went straight to the head of the femme fatales in our family. You never went hungry when you visited Mom's home. When she moved into Winnipeg and settled on Burrin Avenue, her grandchildren would visit Grandma after school and were never disappointed Grandma always had something special for them to eat. At an early age, Mom displayed her ability and passion for sewing. Always the ingenious sole, Mom made patch quilts bedspreads from bits and pieces of cloth saved over time. Mom did what they said couldn't be done she made silk from a sow's ear. Anyone who was fortunate to receive one of Mom's quilts treasured it. The same was true of the toss pillows that Mom would sew and stitch to perfection. Mom loved her freedom to travel and visit family and friends. Her greatest love before she was stricken with Alzheimer's was to spend time with her grandchildren. Sleepovers were always special since Grandma would treat the kids to anything they wanted her to cook up or she would take them to the mall for a treat. It was during these special visits that her grandchildren learned of Mom's deep devotion to God, her Roman Catholic faith and porridge. A big thank you to all of the staff at Riverview, and especially to Carman, Christina, Linda and Louise. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Mom's name to the Alzheimer's Society. Prayers will be held on Thursday June 2, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at Glen Eden Funeral Home, 4477 Main Street. Mass of Christian Burial to be held on Friday, June 3, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Theresa's Parish, 3597 Main Street, with viewing at 9:30 a.m. Interment to follow at Holy Family Cemetery with reception to follow at Glen Eden Reception Centre, 4477 Main Street. Glen Eden Funeral Home 338-7111 www.gleneden-mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 01, 2011