HELEN MARY MANILLA-BABINIEC (BOROWSKI)

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HELEN MARY MANILLA-BABINIEC
(nee BOROWSKI)

We the family of Helen are saddened to announce that our mother and grandmother has passed away November 23, 2020 to a much better place at the age of 91. Helen was born on January 15, 1929 to Walter and Tekla Borowski (on the same day as her mother). Our Grandpa always said, "It was the coldest day of the year".
Helen had a long and interesting life. When my brother and I were little our mother sewed us matching tweed and velvet coats and hats. She was a wonderful seamstress and was very talented in the arts; having a long interest in museums and libraries. Helen was an avid reader and did fashion sketches when she was young, sang in many choirs and had a love of opera.
Helen married her first husband and father of their children, Stephen Manilla on June 17, 1949. They attended Blessed Virgin Mary Church and later Holy Eucharist Church. Mom was always volunteering her time to a good purpose. She was president of the UCWL for two terms (eight years). She was a district commissioner for Girl Guides of Canada, past president of Credit Granters of Winnipeg, past president of Quota Club and a Commissioner of Oaths. She taught catechism after church on Sundays, helped out at soup kitchens and volunteered for programs that taught English as a second language to school children, being well into her 70s at this time.
Steve had passed away on October 10, 1987 leaving Helen a widow at age 57. Luckily for Helen several years later she met Walter Babiniec at Holy Eucharist Church and they enjoyed a 21 year marriage until Walter's passing July 25, 2018. Helen was a woman of courage and spent her last few years at Holy Family Personal Care Home. Warrior that she was she carried on for several more years.
You will be missed mom by Philip and Leslie (Derek), and remembered fondly by grandchildren, Christopher Manilla and Natalie (Dave) Lopes; great-grandchildren, Ben and Charlie, Dan (Kelsey) Fingler; great-granddaughter Isla and Jane Fingler. Helen leaves behind nieces, Claudia McDonald, Karen Fehr, Paula Rynsburger; and nephew Peter Bodnarus. She was predeceased by her sister Leocadia (aka Violet) and brother-in-law Adam Bodnarus.
Due to covid19 a private service will be held at Holy Eucharist Church.

VICHNAYA PAMYAT

"Do not be anxious for tomorrow;
for tomorrow will care for itself"
Matthew 6:34

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 28, 2020