Helen Doreen Wojtowich
Peacefully on March 20, 2024 Helen Doreen Wojtowich (nee Sloik) passed away at the Portage General Hospital with her children at her side. Helen was predeceased by her husband Ted, son Walter; parents Michael and Anna Sloik; sister Effie and brother-in-law Herbie Bachert; brother-in-law Bill Kelly; brother-in-law Dmetro Donaradz; cousin Roman Sloik; as well as numerous relatives on the Wojtowich side of the family.
Left to mourn her passing are: son Brian Wojtowich of Calgary, AB; son Danny Wojtowich and life-long family friend Colleen Fletcher of Portage la Prairie, MB; daughter Jo-Anna (Daryl) Sutter of Claresholm, AB; grand daughter Cynthia (Cobi) Slatcher, and great grandchildren Carson and Casey, of Cochrane, AB; grand daughter Christina Sutter of Calgary, AB; grand daughter Alyssa Sutter (Ryan Cameron) of Calgary, AB; daughter-in-law Vivian Wojtowich and grandchildren Mardie, Christy and Shane; also grand daughters Pam and Patty. She is also survived by her sister Stella Kelly of Ottawa, ON; sister Rosie Donaradz of St. Catherines, ON; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Helen was born on August 24,1924 in Portage la Prairie, MB and raised on the family farm near Rossendale where she attended Ferriss School. Ted and Helen were married on October 10, 1942, for 52 years before his passing. They farmed for 36 years in the Rossendale area and sold the farm in 1974. Helen spent many hours working on the farm, cooking food (especially perogies, always enough to feed an army), raising her four children and getting them to their many activities. After selling the farm Helen took a job in the laundry department at the Portage General Hospital, where she worked until 1989 before retiring. In 1979 they moved into their new home near Portage la Prairie, MB where Helen lived until 2007 before moving to the Oddfellows Tower and eventually into the Lions Prairie Manor in 2011.
Helen was active for many years as a member of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Assumption and the Ukrainian Catholic Women’s League. She was a member of the Herman Prior Centre and while residing on the farm near Rossendale, was a member of a group of neighbours known as the “Happy Gang.” She was an avid ball player and curler in her early years, and loved gardening, canning, playing Bingo and cards, making perogies and dancing. There was nothing that brought her more pride and joy than her children, grandchildren and in recent years her great grandchildren. The love and pride she had for them was something that she treasured dearly.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Lion’s Prairie Manor for their care over the past 13 years. Also, to the staff on the surgical unit at the Portage General Hospital for the loving end of life care. A huge thank you to the staff at the Omega Funeral Home, especially cousin Colleen, for their kind, courteous, and professional management of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Viewing and visitation will be held Friday, April 19, 2024, from 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm at Omega Funeral Home, 83 Royal Rd. S., Portage la Prairie.
Funeral Service will be held at Omega Funeral Home on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. officiated by Father Michael Savarimuthu.
Interment to follow service at Hillside Cemetery.
Messages of condolences can be made online at http://www.omegafuneralhome.com.