Obituary of HELEN JANICKI

HELEN JANICKI (BILICZ)

June 13, 1930 – February 5, 2023

In loving memory of Helen (Olena) Janicki, who passed away peacefully on February 5th at Holy Family Home.

She was predeceased by her parents (Tekla and Mikolaj); three siblings (Irka, Ostap, Olga); son (Roman); nephew (Bohdan) as well as many other family members.

Helen is survived by and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Irene (Brian); son, Myron (Keri-Linn); grandchildren, Charlene (Glenn, deceased), Roman (Elis), Melissa (Corey), Alexander (Kayla), Jessica (Steven), Rachael; great-grandchildren, Noah, Nathan, Ava, Caiden, Jackson; nephews and nieces.

Olena had an extremely close relationship with her long-time in-laws, Mary (John, deceased), along with nephew (Bohdan, deceased) and his wife Marta. Also holding a special place in her heart was Glenn.

Helen was born and raised in Poland (Biala Podlaska). In 1963 she came to Canada with her family to make a new life. She was a very hard worker, a talented seamstress and cook. All three of Helen’s children acquired their mom’s skill of cooking, making her proud, but Myron, as the youngest, later in life mastered his mom’s famous chicken soup.

Helen was also fluent in many languages, which assisted her in many facets of her life both work and personal, where she was often asked to assist others with translation. A long-time career for her was working at and assisting with running Vega Textiles. She was well known by many who frequented the business, including politicians she so proudly spoke of meeting and working with. For many years, she was also an avid volunteer working at various Ukrainian and Polish Pavilions of Folklorama. Later in life, Helen learned how to use You Tube on her tablet and enjoyed watching some of her favorite shows, Golden Girls, I Love Lucy, Carol Burnett to name a few or listening to music. As aging progressed, nothing brought a smile on her face like listening to her favorite song (Nessun Dorma performed by the Three Tenors), while being with her family.

Her summers were spent at West Hawk and Star Lake. There, she enjoyed to go mushroom picking in the woods (an art she passed along to her family), feeding the birds and animals along with cottage life with her husband. She spent most winters while working and retirement years in Miami Beach, Florida, at her condo. Miami Beach was Helen’s happy place, another home away from home that she was so fortunate to have been able to enjoy for over three decades.

The family wants to thank the staff at Holy Family Personal Care Home for their care and support of Helen. A special appreciation to Dr. Terry Babick for his dedication, compassion and personal care, during Helen’s time at Holy Family.

The funeral service will be celebrated by V. Rev. Archpriest Eugene Maximiuk on Thursday, March 30th at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, 1175 Main Street.  Interment to follow at the Elmwood Cemetery (88 Hespeler Avenue).

Flowers are graciously declined, the family asks those wishing to express condolences to please consider a donation in Helen Janicki’s memory to the Alzheimer Society Manitoba, Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre, Ukrainian National Foundation (UNF), or a charity of your choice.

Vichnaya Pam’yat