Helen Obodiak was born on November 24, 1929 in Blaine Lake, Saskatchewan.  She was the fourth and youngest daughter born to Mike and Mary Romanycia.  The family moved to farm in the Sunnybrook district near Nipawin in 1930.  Helen attended Sunnybrook School.  In 1949 she moved with her parents to Nipawin.  She met John Obodiak that same year and in 1950 they married.  John passed away in 1980.

Helen worked in a number of Nipawin business establishments including Chapman Jewellers, Robinson Stores, Weese Photography and Schultz Department Store.  The highlight of her working career was becoming the manager of the Sears Canada catalogue sales office in 1966.  She enjoyed her work and it enabled her to meet many people in Nipawin and surrounding area.  After working for 40 years, Helen retired in 1988.

John and Helen were charter members of the Nipawin Kinsmen and Kinette Clubs.  They were also members of Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church.  Helen was an active member of the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, Olena Pchilka Branch.  

Helen had many interests that she enjoyed in her retirement years.  She was especially happy working outdoors in her yard and garden where she grew abundant vegetables and beautiful flowers every year.  She also enjoyed cross-stitching, knitting and reading.  Helen and her sister, Mary, were very close and they did many things together.  They liked to travel and visited the Bahamas, Hawaii, Arizona, Ukraine and numerous places across Canada.  

In recent years, Helen’s health began to fail and she needed care. In 2015, she became a resident of Pineview Lodge where she lived until she passed away.  

Helen will be fondly remembered for the warmth and kindness she showed everyone.  She is survived by her brother-in-law, 
Steve (Elsie) Obodiak.  Also left to treasure her memory are many nieces 
and nephews; the children of her sisters (Annie Kozun, Effie Niwranski and Mary Youzwa), her brother-in-law and sister- in-law (Tina Brezinski).  She will be sadly missed by all of her family and friends.

                                      ВІЧНАЯ ПАМ’ЯТЬ

• Date : 2019-02-15