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Helen Trakalo passed away at the Canora Hospital, Canora, SK, on June 18, 2023, at the age of 82 years.
Helen was born on the family farm near Gilbert Plains, MB, on December 31, 1940, to Michael and Anne (nee Juzwishyn) Chudobiak. As a young girl, she cherished her 8 brothers and 2 sisters, as they all worked hard on the farm. She was especially close to her mother.
At a young age, she left the farm to move to Dauphin, MB, to seek work with her sister, Mary. She waitressed in a Chinese restaurant where she met William Trakalo. They married on October 9, 1961.
Helen and William settled on the family farm north of Canora, SK. They were blessed with 4 children: Teresa, Brenda, Lyle, and Allen.
Through her family life, Helen did it all, raising 4 children, maintaining multiple gardens, sewing, crafting, giving haircuts, cooking delicious meals, canning, caring for livestock, chickens, and baking every type of baked good, including her famous cinnamon buns. She also worked in Canora at the Robinson’s store, Kozy Kove and Tran’s Restaurant, and as a cook at the Gateway Lodge.
She always looked forward to visiting her siblings and their families in Manitoba, especially the family gatherings in the big green house of her parents in Gilbert Plains.
Her Ukrainian Catholic faith was a cornerstone of her life. She was active in the Antoniwka, then Canora church. She was a longtime member of the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League and enthusiastic member of the perogy bee at the church. She spent countless hours volunteering at the church hall.
Helen always put others first. She was a very forgiving person and always gave words of encouragement to all.
In 2018, she moved to Park Place in Canora. With declining health, she became a resident of the Gateway Lodge in Canora in January 2023. Upon arriving at the Gateway Lodge, she was affectionately welcomed back by those who remembered her working there.
Helen was predeceased by her parents; husband, William in 2022; brothers, Harry, Bill, and John; and her sisters-in-law, Lila and Joyce.
She is survived by her children: Teresa, Brenda (Evan), Lyle, and Allen (Rhonda); her 7 grandchildren; and her Chudobiak family: sisters, Mary (Roy) Anderson and Rose (Bob) Buck; brothers: Steve, Nick (Darlene), Michael (Judy), Metro (Diane), Peter (Rose), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to family, former coworkers, and friends who supported Helen through her life. She was a very special person who will be deeply missed. Vichnaya Pamyat—Вічная пам’ять—Eternal Memory.
A private funeral service will be held from the Chapel of Leson’s Funeral Home, Canora, SK, with Very Rev. Fr. Joakim Rac officiating and Danny Rakochy as cantor. Helen’s family will be acting pallbearers. Rite of Committal will follow in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic (Antoniwka) Cemetery, north of Canora, SK. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Canora Hospital Auxiliary, or to the Canora Gateway Lodge Auxiliary, in memory of Helen Trakalo.
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2023
Death notice for the town of: Canora, Province: Saskatchewan
death notice Helen Trakalo 2023
obituaries notice Helen Trakalo 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Helen Trakalo 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
