Helen Heshka of Canora, SK, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on August 10, 2012, at the Canora Hospital at the age of 92 years. Helen was born on August 1st, 1920, the second oldest child, of Peter and Mary (Wasylyshen) Kitchen in the Burgis District. As a young girl, Helen attended the Poplar Springs School and completed her grade eight education. Having taken Ukrainian classes after school, she became proficient in reading and writing the language. She enjoyed school and remembered her education sufficiently to teach her sons English (how ???? and frog were the same item) and about subordinate and coordinate clauses. As a child, she was also introduced to the mandolin which she occasionally played to her grandchildren in later life. On June 3rd, 1944, Helen was united in marriage to George Heshka and the couple remained married for sixty-one years until George passed away in 2005. Helen and George raised three sons: Eugene, Ernest and Terry and a fourth son Gordon, died in infancy. Helen was an ambitious mother and wife; she was often remembered leaving the little ones at home sleeping, hastily dashing out to the pasture to bring home the cows for milking, only to return home early, thinking she heard crying. She managed to help with harvest duties, particularly driving the grain truck, (without a driver's license) and getting the farm yard chores done. Helen loved to cook and she equally loved to share the delights with everyone who visited their home. Her garden was most important in her life as were the strawberry and raspberry patches, providing summer and winter treats to accompany the homemade doughnuts covered with icing sugar. Even to this day her grandchildren are still trying to figure out the recipe to Baba's soup. Helen was secretary of the Ladies Aide at the church for many years. She especially enjoyed singing in the choir during services and carolling during the Christmas season. In 2003, following George's illness, Helen was accepted as a resident of the Canora Gateway Lodge, where she remained for the past nine years. Life at the Lodge was good, however, in 2006, following a stroke her mobility and speech were lost. Even though she could not share a conversation with her visitors or lodge residents, she still participated in events. Alzheimers deprived Helen of many things we all take for granted in life, but she still managed to live a quiet peaceful life. She even enjoyed visits by Lucky, the family pet. Helen was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Mary; her husband, George; her son Gordon; her sister Lena Skrepnek; and her brothers Fred and John. She is lovingly remembered by her sons: Eugene (Iris), Ernest (Pat) and Terry; her grandchildren: Sheana (Geoff) Green, Scott (Donna) Heshka, Mark (Dana) Heshka and Michelle Heshka; great-grandchildren: Colton and Brodin Green, Sasha Heshka and Sierra Heshka and her sisters-in-law Nellie Kitchen and Jean (Tony) Yaremko; as well as several nieces and nephews.The Prayer Service was held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012, from the Chapel of Leson's Funeral Home, Canora. The Funeral Service was held on Thursday August 16, 2012, from the Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Donwell West, with Rev. Fr. Michael Faryna, officiating. Interment followed in the Parish Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Alzheimer Society of Saskatchewan or to the Holy Transfiguration Cemetery Fund in memory of Helen. Those unable to attend are invited to sign an on-line guest book for Helen at www.lesonsfuneralhome.ca Arrangements were entrusted to LESON'S FUNERAL HOME, Canora (563-5671).
