elevated LWk57

elevated LWk57 October 6, 1923 – February 19, 2023 

elevated LWk57 Obituary

elevated LWk57 Czerwinski, Helena Barbara October 6, 1923 – February 19, 2023

elevated LWk57 Helena Czerwinski of Toronto, Ontario, passed away on February 19, 2023, after a recent decline in health. A kind and loving spouse, mother, Babcia, devout Catholic, faithful friend, and pet enthusiast.  Helena will be missed and remembered for her kindness and altruistic spirit, always willing to help where needed.  She lived a full life and was loved by everyone who knew her. Helena was born October 6, 1923 to Maria and Antony Matyla in Kozmin, Poland.  During the 2nd World War she spent 5 years in a German Work camp nursing the sick and acting as a midwife.  As a new immigrant to Canada she spent her first 3 years living in Montreal, there, she worked with the Polish community helping fellow Displaced Persons find jobs and places to live.  She with her close group of friends to Toronto where she worked at The Granite Club on St. Clair Ave. West.  It is there she met the Chairman of the Board for CP Rail whose wife she served lunch to every day for months.  He offered her a position at Chateau Lake Louise when the Granite Club closed for the summer.  She jumped at the opportunity to travel west via train, and enjoyed many months working at The Chateau Lake Louise and then managing Lake Agnes Tea House.  It is there she rescued and adopted an orphaned black bear cub (Peter) and raised him until he became big enough to be safely released in Northern Alberta. .  Helena became known as the “Beautiful Polish girl who has a pet bear” and all the hikers from Chateau Lake Louise who stopped at the Tea House to rest, had to take a picture of Helena with Peter and her many chipmunks which she fed for their “photo op”.  She married Jacek in Toronto on January 29, 1955 going on to have 2 children, Mark (Cheryl) Czerwinski and Ann (Don)Parsons; 4 grandchildren, David and Matthew Parsons, Michael and Kenneth Czerwinski.  Helena managed a team of 100 seamstresses at Highlite Fashions (Toronto) for 30 years, manufacturing Bridal Gowns and Bridesmaid Dresses, until her retirement at 70 years old.  Helena and Jacek spent their retirement years becoming very involved with her 4 grandchildren, David, Matthew, Michael and Kenneth, creating numerous memorable family occasions fishing, canoeing, camping, hiking, cooking with the grandchildren their favourite Polish dishes, sewing the most magnificent Halloween costumes each year, going to country fairs and Christmas parades, and babysitting the kids and dogs whenever they were asked.  Helena was predeceased by her husband Jacek (October 30, 2019) and her 7 brothers and sisters. Thank you to all whose efforts made Helena’s final days easier particularly at Queens Estates and at Humber River Hospital.  Helena will be interred at Assumption Catholic Cemetery after a private mass.  In lieu of flowers the family ask anyone wishing to pay tribute to Helena to make a donation to The Toronto Humane Society.  http://secure.torontohumanesociety.com/goto/HelenaCzerwinski