HELEN STEFANIUK (MATERECKI)

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HELEN STEFANIUK (nee MATERECKI) With great sadness we announce the passing of Helen Stefaniuk, loving mother and grandmother, on December 10, 2002 at the age of 73 years. Left to mourn her passing are her two sons, Richard and his wife Shelly, and John, his wife Nancy and their children, Thomas and Samuel. She was predeceased by her beloved husband John, her twin sister Dorothy Materecki and her parents, Marie and Carl Materecki. Helen and her sister Dorothy were born on May 21, 1929 in Transcona, MB. She grew up with her parents and grandparents at the family home on Hoka Street and attended Central School. As a young woman she worked at Imperial Oil. She met her husband John and they were married in 1957. Together Helen and John and Johns parents built a home on Regent Avenue East in which they raised their two children, John and Richard. Helen was active in the Transcona Kinnettes Club. Helen was a member of the St. Michaels Ukrainian Catholic Parish and participated in the Ladies League. She was a vibrant and active mother who could not do enough for her sons, of whom she was most proud. When her children were of school age, she took a part-time job at the Eatons downtown store, where for many years she dealt with customers in her naturally kindly manner in the customer services department. Helen always enjoyed the beach life in the summer, with many days in her youth spent at Grand Beach. In her married life, Helen, John and the boys spent their vacations at Grand Beach and later at the family cottage at Lester Beach. She took pride in her home; she enjoyed spending time with her flower gardens. Helen was a very kind, warm, lively and giving woman and friends and neighbours were always made to feel welcome in her home and at the cottage. Family was at the centre of Helens life. She was a devoted wife and mother. Her family will miss her deeply. In latter years, Helen struggled bravely with the onset of Parkinsons disease, which robbed her of much of her vitality and mobility. Through the kindness and support of those around her, especially her good friends and neighbours, she was able to remain in the home she loved until her recent move to the Poseidon Care Centre. Special thanks to doctors, Thottingal, Hobson and Turner and the nurses and staff at Victoria General Hospital and to the staff at Poseidon. Prayers will be held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 16 at Transcona Funeral Chapel, 1800 Day St. Divine Liturgy to follow on Tuesday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michaels Ukrainian Catholic Church, 400 Day St., with Fr. Andrew Wach officiating. Interment will follow at Transcona Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. VICHNAYA PAMYAT Transcona Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 14, 2002