Obituary of HELEN VERONICA VUCKOVIC

Helen Veronica Vuckovic September 13, 1950- September 26, 2015 With family at her side, our beloved angel, Helen, passed away gracefully at Riverview Health Centre at the age of 65. Mom was predeceased by her father Walter, and her mother Janina Slabkowski. Helen is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Silvestar; her two daughters, Tanya (Shawn) and Gina; brother John (Michele); niece and nephew, Nina and Evan; aunt Helen Mroczko; extended family, the Jamroz’s; cousins in Ontario, the Wegiel’s, Yeandle’s, Bodnar’s, Lang’s, family in Poland, and numerous dear friends, and co-workers (MTS, WRHA). Helen was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in the north end of the city. She worked at MTS for 27 years, working her way up from the mail room into management. She changed career paths into child care, for a few years which lead her to her second home, at WRHA, where she eventually retired in 2014. Mom was the matriarch of the family, she was the one we all looked to for direction. Growing up, as a family we enjoyed going fishing, camping, taking drives out to Lockport, visiting baba, and sharing amazing Polish and Croatian cooking at the dinner table. On special holiday’s ciocia Helen’s heartfelt cooking brought our whole family together. We spent many fun times with uncle John, aunt Michele, cousins Nina, Evan, and shared many dinners at each other’s homes over the years. As we grew up, we brought new member’s into our circle; spending our evenings together, having bonfires, renting movies, and watching pay per-view events as a large group. Mom was great at entertaining she always had more than enough to eat. As the years went on, Tanya moved to Edmonton in 2003, and mom’s visits quickly followed. New memories were made, going shopping, making home cooked meals, and taking day trips. In 2013, Gina’s move to Toronto quickly reunited our Winnipeg family with our extended family in Ontario; sharing new family traditions, making new memories, and discovering new parts of the city together. She had a knack for making people laugh, she owned, a whoopee cushion, fake teeth, numerous wigs, just to mention a few. All who knew her became an instant friend, as she was often the one to spark up conversation with a stranger. She made friends with the people at all of her favorite stores. She made sure to learn a few words in many languages to just say hello or to make new friends. She enjoyed; traveling with dear friends and family to Edmonton, Toronto, Las Vegas, Florida, California, etc., playing cards, gardening, attending Mass, and cuddling her two cats Ralphy, Maggie, and her grand doggy Chewy. Helen was a kind, generous, fun-loving and a thoughtful person, if it was your birthday, she would decorate the whole house, or your cubicle at work. She always made sure to have a gift in hand as her closet was full of gift bags, wrapping paper, and party streamers. She enjoyed treating people to lunch, a dinner, or movie. Mom enjoyed being of service to others, as she volunteered with the United Way, Holy Ghost Personal Care Home, and The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 246, working in the kitchen for many years. She also made many donations to numerous organizations. Special thanks to all of the friends, family, and co-workers, who supported her, visited her daily, prayed for her, while in Seven Oaks Hospital, and Riverview Health Centre. Our sincerest gratitude to the extended family in Ontario who came in to be by our side and represent their love and support. Thank you to Ciocia Wanda for her continued drive in helping mom, her positivity and payers. To Frank for his expertise in Cancer research, and for taking time to make me laugh. Prayers were held on Friday, October 2, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, October 3 at 10:00 a.m, at Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church, 341 Selkirk Avenue. Interment followed at Holy Ghost Cemetery.