Obituary of Helen Kalinowski

Helen Kalinowski "Granny" March 30, 1924 - March 29, 2017 It is with great sadness and tremendous loss that we announce the passing of our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Mom passed away peacefully in her sleep at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital one day short of her 93rd birthday. Born in Wolucza, Poland, Mom immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1949. After the ship docked in Quebec, she made her way to Cranbrook and has lived here ever since. Mom's desire to do her best was a strong part of her personality and work ethic. She was employed as a waitress at the Ritz Cafe, Cranbrook Hotel, York Hotel, as a salesperson at The Emporium Gift Shop and lastly at the Village Inn Restaurant as a short order cook and waitress. Mom loved taking care of her flower garden, enjoyed bowling with dear friends on Friday mornings and loved cooking delicious meals for family dinners. Especially dear to her was camping, tediously poking and tending to the fire and visiting with family and friends. Camp "pot luck" dinners were her favorite, "cabbage rolls for all"! Mom was kind and very generous, she touched many lives and as lovingly referred to as "Granny" by friends who "adopted" her as their own. Mom's Great Grandchildren were very precious to her. She showered each with her love, treasured their visits and enjoyed watching their antics while camping. She was a very strong independent woman who was proud of her Ukrainian Heritage, and proud that she was able to stay in her own home until she was admitted to the hospital in February. Helen is survived by her loving Daughters, Barb (Baron) Quaife and Margaret (Rick) Schrader, Grandchildren Dean (Dallas) Quaife, Kevin (Lisa) Quaife and Christy (Steve) Domonkos, Great Grandchildren Jordan, Kaidynce, Teagan and Kassian Quaife and Cole and Keira Domonkos, and Son-in-Law Bob Patterson. Helen was predeceased by her loving husband Karl Kalinowski in 1993, daughter Louise (Boychuk) Patterson and granddaughter Lori Patterson. Mom's warmth and understanding Was priceless beyond measure, She was precious to her family Our mother is a Treasure. A service for Helen will be held on Thursday, April 6th, 2017 at 11:00 am McPherson Funeral Home in Cranbrook. She will be interred in Westlawn Cemetery following the service, and a reception in her honour will follow the interment. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your charity of choice. Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at: www.mcphersonfh.com