HELEN PACKOWICH (GLOWACKI)

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HELEN PACKOWICH (nee GLOWACKI) September 6, 1924 - May 13, 2013 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Helen Packowich on May 13, 2013 at the age of 88. She was predeceased by her parents William and Ksenia (Matwichuk), husband Peter, brothers Wally, Stan and Julian, infant brother Michael, sisters Mary and Cecilia, and nephew Brian Mann. Helen will be sadly missed by sisters Bernice and Terry (Norman), daughter Patti (Don), adopted daughter Caroline (William), grandchildren Scott Burrows (partner Karen) and Cecily Restivo Petroff (Nicholas), one great-grandson Lucas Petroff, as well as three generations of nieces and nephews. As a girl growing up in Winnipeg during the Great Depression, Helen learned the absolute value of each and every dollar, and though she became a generous soul to those she loved and cared about, she thought nothing of walking back to the PriceSmart to point out a clerical error and collect the penny owing. As a young woman maturing in a world at war, Helen worked at the grandest store of its day - the Eaton's in downtown Winnipeg. Her career included Childs Restaurant, Loblaw's and Dominion, positions well suited for her eagle eye, honesty and unbending sense of order. She married Pat in 1947 with the union lasting 36 years until his passing in 1983. Pat would earn a living with Canadian Pacific and build a fine cottage on Bird Lake, the site of many happy hours spent sunbathing on the dock and fishing for pickerel off the side of an aluminum boat. Years later, in her White Rock condo, Helen liked to watch old Super 8 films made at the lake, as well as those of granddaughter Cecily, an accomplished actress and figure skater. She always spoke of her special dinners at Earl's with her grandson Scott and she loved hearing about her great-grandson Lucas and how he loved to dance and sing along to Les Miserables. She was a meticulous needle-pointer and prolific knitter, successfully teaching Cecily to knit and purl, and leaves behind many works of art. She liked coffee and donuts and assorted chocolates, and McDonald's cheeseburgers with fries. She made great cabbage rolls and good chicken soup. She said she didn't care much for men, but she smiled when she spoke of a certain firefighter, and always watched Wayne Cox do the weather on Global. She fell and broke her shoulder in 2010 and spent most of the rest of her days at the Peace Portal Lodge, where she received excellent care. Special thanks must go to all who work at the lodge. Your patience and kindness is nothing less than extraordinary. Helen developed a wry and prickly sense of humour as she battled old age, and those who felt its sting may find they miss it after all. Godspeed, Helena Franciszka. You're free to roam once more. Visitation to take place Thursday, May 23 at 1:00 p.m., at Klassen Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Holy Family Cemetery. KLASSEN FUNERAL HOME 1897 Henderson Hwy. - 338-0331 Condolences may be sent to www.klassenfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 22, 2013