Helen Burak

Peacefully Aunt Helen passed away at Victoria Hospital after a short illness. She was the second youngest of ten children raised by Michael and Mary Burak of Medika, MB. Helen was predeceased by her parents Michael and Mary, and her siblings: brothers Marion (Dianne), John Burik (Anita), William (Ellice), Victor, Joe (Ann), and sisters Eva Fraser (Ian), Anne Buriak, Michelda (George) Scott. She is also predeceased by a niece Karen Janz (Burik). Helen leaves to mourn her youngest sister Josephine, and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was born on the family farm in the village of Medika and attended the local one room school, a short walking distance across the Whitemouth River, through a patch of trees, across a farmer’s field, and finally down a dirt road. She attended to the highest grade attainable – Grade 8.

Her working years took her to Winnipeg, Calgary, and back to Winnipeg. She was employed with The Hudson’s Bay Company as a signage designer, designing and making signs and posters for items and sales events. She also enjoyed a prosperous experience with Avon.

Aunt Helen was very independent and primarily used bus services to Polo Park Mall, Grant Park Mall, and downtown, as well as visiting family members.

Helen was a kind, generous person, regularly giving to The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, The Winnipeg Humane Society, Show Kids You Care, and many, many more. Her pet cats were of special interest and love, with the Humane Society being a source for rescue and a favourite charitable recipient. Aunt Helen was a quodophile, a collector of sayings, and many of her personal favourites were recorded on chits of paper saved for future readings.

A service of remembrance will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, April 22 at Green Acres Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the above charities or to a charity of choice.

Rest in peace Aunt Helen. May God bless you and keep you. Your life was a testament to love, resilience, and the beauty of human connection. You will be dearly missed but never forgotten.