Helen KOTASKA

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KOTASKA: Helen. Peacefully and surrounded by God’s Light and Love and her family, our Mom (Baba), Helen Kotaska passed away on Thursday, November 15, 2012. Mom was born March 10, 1937 in Brandon, MB to an amazing set of parents, John & Julia Pacyna. Our grandparents saw to it that Mom and her sister Louise (our Auntie Cookie) were deeply involved in their parish and community. Mom received Honors in school for her musical studies and she traveled every week to Winnipeg to study violin under Professor Waterhouse. A large part of the Brandon community was attending local weekly dances at the Sokol Hall where she met Jaroslav (Jerry) Kotaska and they soon married. Helen & Jerry moved to Carberry and ran the Solo Store for many years. Together they had six children: Mark (Audrei), Jackie, Pat (Rick), Terry, Rick (Bonnie) and Toni (Guy). Other than her children, Mom’s greatest pride & joy were her grandchildren: Danette (Casey), Sarah (Darcy), Steven, Kelly (Joanna), Kevin (Meredith), Alysha, Noah, Devan and Natalie; great grandchildren: Mallory, Ilyanna, Camryn, Tristan and Abigail. Not only was she Baba to these grandbabies, but also Baba to a countless number of children that passed through her door. A second Mom to many of her children’s friends and kids she cared for, who spent much time with her for her counsel, advice or time; her door was always open and she always took time to listen and have a cup of coffee. Her house was always busy, filled with children of all ages, music, pets and a sense of fun chaos. We would like to think that she loved every minute of it! She was patient, had a quick wit and great sense of humor, loved to laugh, dance, sing and we are so grateful that she instilled in us a great appreciation of music. Faith was deep seeded in Mom and she, until recent years, faithfully attended services at her church. Her church was her other home where she taught catechism, volunteered at functions and was involved with church council. Faith was her rock and she was ours. We will draw upon this when we miss her physical presence. She was not afraid to leave this earth and before she left us, gave these precious words: “I will never leave you, I will be with you always. Have Faith. Without Faith there is only Despair.” Mom, you will never know the impact you had on so many people. We love you more than we can ever express. How lucky we are to have had you in our lives. Not a day will go by that we will not miss you. Thank you for the lessons that you taught us: the importance of family, faith, patience and compassion. We hope we made you proud Mom, and may we continue to honor you. We love you. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, 224 Lisgar Street, Carberry, Manitoba. Interment will follow at the Carberry Plains Cemetery. As tokens of sympathy, donations in memory of Helen may be made to Carberry Health Centre, Box 2000 Carberry, MB, R0K 0H0 or Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church, Box 836 Carberry, MB R0K 0H0. Seasons Funeral Chapel, Oak Bank, MB 204-444-5444.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 20, 2012