HELENA TARASENKO

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HELENA TARASENKO (nee REIMER) 1922 2016 We are so very sad to announce the peaceful passing of our much loved mother at her residence on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Helena was born December 4, 1922 on the family homestead in Clearspring, MB, to Abram P and Anna (Dueck) Reimer. All 14 of her siblings and her parents predeceased her. Her husband Alexander predeceased her December 26, 2015. We celebrate her long life, mourn her death and remain thankful for her role in our lives and all that she meant to us. She showed tenacity and resilience with all the changes and losses she experienced in her 93 years. She loved unconditionally and gave without questioning. She gave much more that she took. Mom was a loyal friend and a gentle, kind woman. She was a great conversationalist and until very recently, enjoyed her spirited political debates with her son-in-law. Growing up on a farm taught Mom that there was honour in hard work. She stayed connected with several of her nieces and nephews to the end of her life. Mom appreciated that connection. Being the last remaining family member, she became somewhat of a family historian. Mom married Alexander Tarasenko, September 6, 1945 and had their 70th wedding anniversary in 2015. They were blessed with three daughters. Mom was a devoted wife and mother; therefore our needs were her cause! Until arthritis diminished her mobility, Mom enjoyed walking with her friend Margaret, cycling and curling but golf frustrated her enough said! We remember the smell of pickling brine into the late hours, her jams and jellies, her delicious baking and homemade chicken noodle soup. She enjoyed knitting and shared this talent freely. Mom was a very precise seamstress. We could have worn our clothes inside out! She really was a domestic diva! Her generous altruistic nature was shown in her loyal support to her chosen charities. Mom also enjoyed listening to a variety of music especially her favorite hymns. She also very much enjoyed the opera and the ballet. Later in life, she took up swimming and reminisced fondly of her early morning dips at Trout Lake when the mist was rising off the lake and the loons were singing. Her wanderlust was stoked when she went to Hawaii with her twin sister to celebrate their 50th birthday. She was still highly functional at 93 and was a fierce competitor with anyone who would dare to take her on in a game of Scrabble or Skippo! Mom became an active member of the United Church in Steinbach and participated in the UCW group and choir and as a Sunday School teacher. She was a woman of faith and lived her life with grace, acceptance, forgiveness and love. Mom knew how much she was loved. She is deeply mourned by her three devoted daughters, Jan (friend Herb), Judi (David) and Bev. She also leaves many nieces and nephews. A service to honor Mom's memory will be held on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, 162 Hwy 52 W, Steinbach, MB. Flower are respectfully declined. Donations to the following charities in Mom's memory would be greatly appreciated. Mennonite Central Committee, 134 Plaza Drive, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 5K9 or S.O.S. Children's Villages Canada, 240-44 Byward Market Square, Ottawa, ON, K1N 7A2. "There are things that we don't want to happen, but have to accept, things we don't want to know, but have to learn and people we can't live without, but have to let go." So nimm denn meine Hände. Arrangements by BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL 1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 23, 2016