Helen "Nana" Stefura

Following a brief illness, Helen Stefura died peacefully in the early morning of 16th August, 2015 at St Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg.

She was predeceased by her husband Morris Stefura (1925 – 2000).

She is survived by her daughters Nancy Batenburg (Ian) of Darwin, Australia and Faye Wankling, and her son Randy of Minneapolis, MN and their children Christopher (Michelle), Tracey, Taryn (Ross), Pamela (Jean), Emily, Cassie and Mandy and great grandchildren Tiger, Leo, Jacob and Emily Rose.

Born 14th April, 1926 in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Helen trained and worked as a hairdresser in Winnipeg before meeting and marrying Morris Stefura, who ran a successful cartage business in Winnipeg for many years. While Helen was 89 when she passed, until recently, she enjoyed good health, and led an independent life.

Helen enjoyed travelling, taking many trips to Australia, across Canada and overseas, many of these trips with Faye and her family. A sociable woman, Helen loved meeting up with old friends and new, and she enjoyed many a coffee morning and many a happy hour with family and friends. She enjoyed people wherever she went, and she had a wide circle of friends that she kept in touch with over many years. Helen was a stalwart at many basketball games, supporting her granddaughters Pamela and Emily and their teams. Helen was also active in the Clifton Ladies Bowling League for many years and enjoyed her teams’ successes or not so much success as the case may have been! In later years she took up lawn bowling and could also sometimes be enticed into a game of shuffleboard in her building.

Helen was a woman who enjoyed life and living, had a smile for everyone, had a wicked sense of humour and an innate interest in the stories and lives of others. She was known as Nana to nearly everyone.

The family would like to thank the staff at St Boniface Hospital for their compassion and care of Helen as her health deteriorated as well as to so many friends and family. As you head off into the long weekend, hoping you can join us for a celebration of her life at 1:00 PM September 4 at Thomson Funeral Home, 669 Broadway, with happy hour immediately to follow.

If friends so desire, donations may be made to the St. Boniface Hospital Foundation, C1026-409 Tache Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 or to The Kidney Foundation, 1-452 Dovercourt Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3Y 1G4