HELEN DANDURAND

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HELEN DANDURAND

Peacefully at the Middlechurch Personal Care Home, Helen Sabina Dandurand ended her earthly journey and passed away on August 6, 2021.
She will be lovingly missed and remembered by her lifelong partner and husband Bill Dandurand; sons, Chris and wife Tanya and Kyle along with her precious grandchildren, Morgan and Jackson.
She also leaves to mourn her sister and best friend Jennie May; nephews, Gerry (Rhonda) May, Myron May and Roman (Maria) and children, Nicholas and Ashley and niece Donna Fedorowich and son Timothy; as well as numerous cousins from the Zeaton and Burdey families.
Helen was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Anastasia; sister Josephine; her brother who was stillborn and brother-in-law Nicholas May.
Helen was born on July 6, 1949 in Winnipeg, MB, the daughter of Ukrainian immigrants who settled in Manitoba in the early 1930s. Helen attended William White Elementary School, Isaac Newton Middle School and finally St. John's High School.
Fiercely determined and independent, she found work and an apartment after graduation and set out into the world with high hopes and dreams. It wasn't long before one of her dreams came true when she met the love of her life Bill Dandurand. They were soon married and then two more dreams came true, the birth of their children, Chris and Kyle who they raised first in Elmwood then Transcona and finally in their dream home in St. Andrews. Helen was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis while pregnant with her first child and battled her affliction for the next four decades. Throughout this difficult journey, her husband was by her side every step of the way, providing heartfelt care and comfort until it was no longer possible. Knowing that her condition would eventually worsen, it was important to teach her sons to be independent and self sufficient.
She eventually had to move into the Middlechurch Personal Care Home where she resided for the last 15 years. An amazing cook and baker, she was also very proud of her Ukrainian heritage. Nothing however, was more important to Helen than family. Helen was truly in her glory surrounded and in the midst of her family. In spite of her illness, not once did Helen complain and while she was robbed of the many things we take for granted, it never stole her joy of singing.
The family express sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff at Middlechurch who took such amazingly compassionate care for Helen. She is now rid of her shackles and is truly free. This beautiful soul will live forever in the memories of those that knew her.

Rest in Peace, Vichnaya Pamyat.

Funeral service will be held on Wednesday August 18, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main Street. Father John Sianchuk, C.Ss.R. officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Helen can be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Aug 14, 2021