HELEN KIERNICKI

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HELEN KIERNICKI After a peaceful, simple and beautiful life, Helen Kiernicki, 77, passed away in Saltair, BC, on January 21, 2002. Helen was known as "Nan" to many of the people in her life; a term of endearment that started with her grandchildren and quickly spread to those she cared for and prayed for. She was known for her devotion to her family and faith, and admired for the joy she took in the simple pleasures of life. She was born and raised on a farm in the Hazelridge-Cooks Creek area of Manitoba to Steve and Julia Uskoski, one of eight children. She spent her youth helping her mother with the farm and family, and playing hockey on the creek that ran past the yard. During the Second World War, Helen moved to Winnipeg and tried her hand at a variety of jobs: domestic service, Eatons mail order, Picardys candy factory, a laundry, and finally Canada Packers. When she was 20, she met her husband John at church. They were married in October 1946 and moved to Winnipeg. The following year, their daughter Liz was born. They owned a thriving north end grocery store, then got into the television business. Helen also owned a Dairy Queen store in Transcona. In 1959, the family moved to Dauphin and bought and renovated the old Hamilton Hotel, renaming it The Towers. Later on, Helens four grandchildren became her life-long vocation. Like all good Ukrainian women, she loved to cook for her family. She took special delight in hosting Easter lunch every year, made with food from a blessed basket. She was steadfast in her Catholic faith, and was a truly forgiving person. She loved the people in her life unconditionally, and looked past their shortcomings - as well as her own. She never missed a mass, but she also never missed a chance to bottle wine with Peter and Liz. She owned a library of books on the Saints, but there wasnt a Danielle Steele novel that she hadnt read. Helen took time to smell the roses, watch for robins and rabbits, enjoy sunsets, and watch the leaves turning colour in fall. She was easy-going, and adventurous. At age 74, she left her friends at St. Georges seniors residence in Dauphin to join Liz and Peter on Vancouver Island. She moved to a lovely apartment in Chemainus, BC, where she had a view of the mountains and ocean. She loved the natural beauty of the area, the pleasant weather, and the robins that stayed year-round. Helen is survived by her daughter Liz and son-in-law Peter Rampton of Saltair, BC; grand-children, Roberta and husband Josh St. Aubin of Winnipeg, Jon Rampton of Dauphin, Timm Rampton, and Marty Rampton of Vancouver; brother Nick Uskoski (Josephine) of Toronto; sister Natalie Bell (Michael) of Toronto; sister-in-law Pauline Uskoski of Beausejour and sister-in-law Anne Uskoski of Winnipeg. She will also be fondly remembered by the Kiernicki families in the Winnipeg area. Helen was predeceased by her parents; husband John; brother John Uskoski (Margaret) sister Joyce Bodnarchuk (John) sister Anne Uskoski; sister Lillian Bulak; brother Bill Uskoski; and brother Harry Uskoski. A memorial service was held on January 26, at St. Josephs Parish in Chemainus, BC. Interment will be at the Cooks Creek cemetery. Donations in Helens memory may be made to the Association for Community Living - Manitoba, 210-500 Portage Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3X1.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 02, 2002