Obituary of Helen Tarnowetski

Tarnowetski - Mrs. Helen Tarnowetski, beloved wife of the late Ted Tarnowetski passed peacefully after a brief illness on February 8, 2015 with her family at her side at the Yorkton District Nursing Home. She was 86 years of age. Helen was born at the family homestead, north of Tuffnell, on May 20th, 1928 and was the youngest of 3 children. She attended school at the Echo Lake School division but remained on the family farm helping her parents until she was united in marriage to Ted Tarnowetski on August 28th, 1949 at the Sheho Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Together they farmed south of Tuffnell until 1960 when they moved to Tonkin because of Ted's employment. In 1980 they transferred to Yorkton where they eventually retired. They were married for 62 years when Ted passed away in 2012. She had one daughter, RoseAnn, born in Foam Lake and three grandchildren; Amanda (January 1982), Kris (January 1984) and Kaley (September 1987). Her grandchildren were the light of her life. She spent many hours with them making bread, Easter eggs and just having fun whether camping or just playing cards. Helen was an excellent seamstress and had the opportunity to put her skills to use by sewing RoseAnn and her brother's six children many little outfits. Later, she was employed by Glauser's Drapery sewing beautiful drapes for their clients. Cross stitching, crocheting and knitting were among her favorite pass times in the later years. She enjoyed the art of quilting and made sure that each grandchild had a special keepsake. She enjoyed gardening and took great pride in growing beautiful flowers. When a four-legged intruder started digging up the flowers, they set up a humane trap with the help of their friend Tony. They had quite a surprise when releasing this pest in the country and found out it was a skunk. She loved to bake bread and cinnamon buns, make perogies and noodles and more often than not, the living room became the "noodle drying" room. The two freezers were always full of baking and her grandchildren would often stock up before leaving Yorkton. She enjoyed volunteering her time at the Ukrainian Orthodox Auditorium making perogies and working bingos and banquets, which were more like social outings than work. She also belonged to the Ukrainian Orthodox Women's Association and later on became one of the elder sisters. For nine years, she participated as a volunteer in the Annual Super Cities Walk for MS. Together, Ted and Helen enjoyed other activities such as watching curling, playing cards with friends, and occasionally bowling with the members of the church. In their earlier years, they enjoyed many camping and fishing trips with family and friends and later when they had a motor home, took their grandchildren on some of those adventures. Helen and Ted's travels took them to places such as Hawaii, Alaska, and throughout the US and Canada. Family was very important to Helen, and even though the family gatherings were small, they were always special. She loved when friends and family would stop by unexpected and she would make a pot of tea and bring out some cookies before you could say you couldn't stay long. She was predeceased by her sister, Rosie, her parents, Anton and Anne, her brother, William (Bill) and her husband Ted. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter RoseAnn and son-in-law Brian, and three grandchildren, Amanda and her husband Phillip, Kris and his wife Melanie, and Kaley, sister-in-laws, Sylvia Anklewich and Pauline Magera, Brother-in-law Walter Tarnowetski and numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends. A Prayer Service was held on Thursday, February 12, 2015 and the Funeral Service on Friday, February 13, 2015, both services at Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Yorkton with Very Rev. Father Mel Slashinsky officiating. The Responses were led by Zennovia Duch & Parish Choir Members. All of Helen's Family and Friends were considered as honourary bearers. Members of the Ukrainian Women's Association, Olena Pchilka Branch paid tribute in an honour guard. The interment followed in the Garden of Gethsemane at Yorkton Memorial Gardens with Kris Yanke (Grandson), Phil Matechuk (Grandson-in-law), Geraldine Arvay (Niece), Wayne Arvay (Nephew), Lorraine Arvay (Niece) and Al Arvay (Nephew) serving as the casket bearers. Memorial donations honouring Helen's life may be made to Helen's favourite charity, the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the Ukrainian Orthodox Church Renovation Fund. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.baileysfuneralhome.com Vichnaya Pamyat! Eternal Memory! Service Information Thursday, February 12th, 2015 7:00pm, Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church Friday, February 13th, 2015 10:00am, Holy Transfiguration Ukrainian Orthodox Church Interment Details Yorkton Memorial Gardens