December 22, 1923 – February 28, 2021
at the age of 97 years
Through much heartache and many tears, we said goodbye to the shining light of our family on February 28th, 2021.
Helen’s adventurous life brought her to Canada from Russia at an early age. Her family settled in Manitoba but later moved to Kitchener, ON where, as a young adult she worked at Electrohome. There, too, she met and married her husband, Wally, to whom she was obviously devoted. Why else would she have crisscrossed Canada so often?
She never lost her spunk nor willingness to make life the best it could be for her family. She was very musically inclined – a talent she shared with her three brothers – Nick, John, and Walter as well as her three sons. To say Helen was crafty would be an understatement. She was very creative and talented. TOPS was huge for her when she lived in Alberta, too.
Helen was predeceased by her loving husband of 57 years and two of her sons Lance and Larry. Left to grieve her loss are her daughter Linda van Hoof (Peter), son Les Hiebert (Debbie), daughter in law Shelly, numerous nieces and nephews, as well as many, many friends and relatives. Held so very closely to her heart were her dozens of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She had a way to make each and every one feel loved and special. One simply cannot imagine their deep sense of loss for such an amazing Oma.
The family would like to thank the great care aides and nurses at Parkside, Chase and Piccadilly in Salmon Arm BC.
So many of you, including her companion Raquel, brought out that sassy, humorous nature of Helen’s, that provided some sun to her otherwise cloudy years.
A grave side service and celebration of life will hopefully be held during the summer of 2021 (COVID permitting). Ashes of both Helen and Wally will be laid to rest together in Chase, BC.
In lieu of flowers, please consider volunteering as a companion at a senior’s home near you.
You will be forever missed ❤ it was a pleasure to help care for you all those years, i can still hear that laugh and remember the hugs and your spunky personality!! May you forever rest in peace. My thoughts are with the family i know how close and how much you all loved her ❤