Lena "Mina" Halas

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mina Halas, our beloved Mom, Baba, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend.  Heaven gained an angel when Mina passed the morning of June 25th 2024, surrounded by her family. 

Mina was predeceased by her husband Nick, her parents Teenie and George, her brother Bill, and numerous members of her extended family. She is survived by her children Paul (Jo Anne), Michele (Derek Moore), George (Lily), Dianne (Arley Laroque); grandchildren, Frances (Jordan) and Tyler (Emily) Halas, Odessa Moore, Natalina Halas and Orina Chin Halas, Taitum (Cassey), Keesyn and Koby Laroque; her siblings Eleanore Debroni, Richard (Patti) Palahniuk, Mitch (Lynda) Palahniuk; her brother-in-law Jerry Halas; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

Mina lived in Winnipeg her entire life, born to Teenie and George, she was the eldest of 5 children. She attended St. Nicholas School and graduated from Issac Newton High School. She started working at a young age to help provide for her family, and she often shared stories from her times at the Roxy Theatre, the Hudson’s Bay Company, and IBM. She taught Key Punch/Data Entry at Red River College, and worked at Revenue Canada as a Manager of Data Entry until she retired in 1994.  She was well known in her workplaces as a leader, and was heavily respected. Her colleagues always talked about what an inspirational woman she was, and even in her retirement she continued to inspire those around her.

Mina married the love of her life, Nick Halas, on May 10th 1958, and they shared 53 loving years together before Nick passed away in 2011. Together, they navigated life's joys and hardships, building a foundation of love for their four children. Lena poured her heart into nurturing and guiding her children, and worked tirelessly to provide them with every opportunity. When asked what time in her life she would want to relive, she said it was her time spent raising her children, because she remembered all the fun they had. Mina’s children fondly remember Sundays spent attending mass at St. Nicholas Church followed by a Manitoba road trip to have a picnic lunch; countless trips to Lockport to watch the boats in the tide, learning to fish, and going to the Half Moon; tours on the MS Lady Winnipeg; playing Bingo at the Winnipeg Beach Boardwalk; and nights spent watching the late night news while eating popcorn and popcorn twists.

Mina's role as "Baba" was the other joy of her life, and she retired early to spend as much time as possible with her grandchildren. Some of her grandchildren’s fondest memories with her were baking, whether it be shortbread, cheesecake, or lemon meringue pies; cooking, classics like baba’s spaghetti, coleslaw, or cabbage rolls; playing cards, with her favorite games being 3 to 13, cribbage, and rummy; and sleepovers at Baba and Gigi’s house.

Mina was strong in her Ukrainian Catholic Faith, and was a life-long member of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church, where she was active in the ladies league, and she pinched perogies many Wednesdays with the perogy crew. She attended mass every Sunday, and when she was unable to attend in person she could be found watching the live-stream mass from home, singing along as though she was right there in her favorite pew (third from the front on the left).

In her later life Mina enjoyed playing Bingo at the church every Wednesday, and her monthly Rummoli card game with her ladies group. Mina had quite the winning streak, and was known as the one to beat.

We will remember our Mom/Baba for her kind heart, beautiful smile, and the twinkle in her eye.  She was most proud of her family, and cherished any time spent together. Her favorite thing to do with her family was play cards, and we will continue playing the games she taught us. Since her passing we have spent countless hours reminiscing, remembering all her favorites like the Price is Right, pumpkin seeds, ice-cream, and angel food cake with strawberries.

We would like to express our thanks to the medical team of GD2 at Health Sciences Centre who cared for our Mom/Baba in her final week, as well as the medical team of Seven Oaks Dialysis.

As per Mina’s wishes, a private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Church.

VICHNAYA PAMYAT