Helen (Wenger) Verhoef

Helen Verhoef

With dignity and grace Helen (63) passed away with loved ones by her side on May 14 at Riverview Health Centre.  Her courageous battle with ALS came to an end.

Helen leaves behind her three children Chris (Ashley), Bob, Dan (Vanessa), grandchildren Willow, Isabella and John, the father of her children.  She is also survived by her father Andrij, brother Ihor (Lorraine), sister Mary and predeceased by her mother Pearl in 2013.  She is also mourned by her nieces Alexandra (Evan), Daniela (Sean, cousins Irene Nazarewich, Bohdan (Irene) Waplak, Rev. Jozef (Elizabeth) Zyla and their families, as well as multiple cousins in Ukraine and France.

Helen was an exceptional, strong, loving and compassionate woman.  She grew up in Winnipeg’s North End and was raised in the Ukrainian community.  She attended St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and cultural activities at Institute Prosvita with the Ukrainian Youth Association “CYM”. Helen’s public education started at William Whyte School and ended at St. John’s High School.

She went on to graduate from nursing school at St. Boniface Hospital (1976).  She started her career at St. Boniface and worked there for four years before moving on to Seven Oaks General Hospital where she worked from 1980 to 2015.  Helen found her place working in the emergency department.  She enjoyed the daily challenges of the role and being able to focus on caring for those most vulnerable.  Many of the nurses and doctors she worked with during her 35 years at the hospital became lifelong friends.

Helen’s most important role was raising and supporting her three boys, later on, as a single parent.  She was blessed with two grandchildren that brought her much joy.  Helen particularly enjoyed spending time with “the girls” Rose, Angela, Mary, Barbara, Gayle, Monica, Bev, Christine and Ana, who stayed by her side throughout her life and cherished their sisterhood relationship.

Helen’s family would like to thank the ALS Society for their support.  Thanks also to the nurses and staff on 3E Palliative Care at the Riverview Health Centre for their care and compassion.  For all the visitors that came to spend time with Helen, she’s grateful for having each one of them in her life.  The family would also like to share a special appreciation to the support provided by Vanessa, who stayed home to take care of Helen while she was still able to live there.

In lieu of flowers, the family graciously requests donations be made to the ALS Society of Manitoba or a charity of their choice.

Her celebration of life reception will be held later at a private family gathering.

Khrystos Voskres!

Korban Funeral Chapel

(204) 956-2193

www.korbanchapel.com