Obituary of HELENA CHUCKREE

HELENA CHUCKREE

(NEE DERLAGO)

   Helena passed away peacefully on March 26, 2018 at the age of 91. She was born on May 14, 1926 in Rossburn, MB to William and Mary Derlago.

   Left to cherish her memory are her three children. Pat (Al), Shirley and Rick (Cynthia). Five grandchildren, Robert (Karen), Rebecca (Tom), Catherine, Reagan and Grant. Six Great-Grandchildren, Anya, Jonah and Toby Jacksteit, Eden and Brennan Anthony and Brynn Dawson. She is also survived by her sisters, Anne and Sonia, and brother Ivan(Shirley), and many nieces and nephews. She has gone to join her loving husband, Michael of 65 years, twelve brothers and sisters (Tony, Nettie, Olga, Sylvia, Mike, Clement, Barry, Lawrence, Angus, Alec, Ted, Phyllis) and her Lord.  

  Helena was a multi-faceted, multi-talented woman. She loved her family, nature, her faith, music and song, her talented work at The Bay. She was industrious, working hard in everything she endeavoured.

  Helena’s family was her first priority. She supported many sisters and brothers as they moved from the farm to the city, starting out in St. James. Later, after she and Dad moved to the mink ranch. all were invited every week for wonderful food (she was an amazing cook) and fun together. Croquet, badminton, swings, slides, baseball! Sundays on the Ranch. 

Born on the farm, Helena developed a love of nature that continued wherever she lived. She planted and maintained incredible gardens. She loved birds, eagerly looking forward every spring to the arrival of the first robin.

  Helena and Michael were one of the founding families of St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church on Jefferson Avenue, in Winnipeg She was a long-standing member of St Joe’s UCWL.  A devoted Catechism teacher. The Outreach Program at St. Joe’s had them both travelling the countryside, side by side, delivering the words of their faith to outlying areas.

  Helena’s beautiful soprano voice was heard every Sunday in church and in duets with Michael. She and Dad sang every night at home together, cementing their love of music and their love for each other.

  Helena worked at The Bay in Ladies Fashions. She was so good at matching customers and clothing, Toronto flew a bigwig in to try and understand how she did it. She was appreciated for her extraordinary talent.

A special thank you to the staff at Holy Family Home, for their caring attention throughout her years there but especially near the end. And thank you Cindy for the constant caring and love you showed Helena in her final years. You always saw her as she was when she had perfect health.

Prayers will be held on Friday, April 6 at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. The Funeral Divine Liturgy will be celebrated on Saturday, April 7 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, 250 Jefferson Ave.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Helena’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Society.