Obituary of Helen BUDZEY (nee Kokolski)

March 27, 1925 – Dauphin, Manitoba

May 14, 2020 – Calgary, Alberta

Helen Budzey of Calgary, AB, passed away on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at the age of 95 years.

Born in 1925 to Metro and Hattie (nee Toporowski) Kokolski in the Sifton district. She went to Mowat School, left school at an early age, and helped on the family farm. 

In 1947 she married Michael (Mike) Budzey and farmed with his parents for twelve-and-a-half years in the Rice Lake district.  They then purchased land in the Sifton area and farmed for another twenty-three years. Helen worked on the farm as hard as Mike.  There was nothing that she did not do on the farm.  Helen always planted a large garden and was always generously giving away the harvest.  You never left her home hungry.  

Helen and Mike retired in 1981 and moved to Dauphin, MB, and were  long-time faithful members of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church of Fork River, and Helen was a member at the Cross of Freedom. 

Left to mourn are daughter Darlene, grandchildren Brittany and husband Anthony DaSilva, Morgan, and Jennifer all of Calgary, AB; sisters-in-law, Stella Kokolski of Edmonton and Nellie Budzey of Dauphin; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, God-children, and friends. 

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Michael in 1997, son Larry Michael in 1950; parents Metro and Hattie; sisters, Anne Beyak, and Mary Slobodzian;  brothers, Bill  and Peter; brothers-in-law, Steve Beyak and Alex Slobodzian; niece, Leona Kaban; and nephews, Elmer, Harold, and Mervin Beyak. 

A Memorial Service and lunch will be held at a later date in Dauphin, MB, after the Covid restrictions have been lifted for friends and family to safely attend.   

If friends so desire in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church of Fork River Cemetery, Box 1, Fork River, MB R0L 0V0. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Helen’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

In living memory of Helen Budzey, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3,   Telephone: 403-241-0044.