Helen Kolisnyk

We are sad to announce the passing of Helen Kolisnyk (nee Vella), after a lengthy illness.

Helen leaves behind her children Paul (Patricia), James (Susan), Victoria (Bryan), Anne (Clifford), Mary Helen (Jeffery), Christine (Joseph), Laurie (Jeffery), Nancy (Bruce), and grandchildren Benjamin (Emma), Katherine (Taylor), Rebecca, Michael, Amy, Matthew, Patrick, Cameron, Ivy, Naomi, David, and Stephen.

A life-long Torontonian, Helen devoted much of her adult life raising her children with her husband, Benjamin, in the house they bought together in 1957. After Ben’s passing in 1991, with the older children married and out of the family home, Helen saw their younger children through their remaining years of schooling and into careers and families of their own.

Helen was proud of her large family. She loved gatherings of the full family of children, in-laws, and grandchildren. We will fondly remember her strength and example as a matriarch, as well as her warm hugs.

Helen was always curious about how the world was changing since her days growing up on Scott Road. She drew on those experiences growing up with her parents Joseph and Mary, twin brother Edward, older sister Rose, and younger twin sisters Dorothy and Carole. A proud graduate of Loretto College School, Helen faced life's changes and challenges grounded by her Catholic faith, and by values of authenticity, fairness, humility, and respect.

Even in her final days, Helen expressed gratitude for the companionship and help she was able to experience in her home of 68 years while ill. The family thanks her health care team for their outstanding commitment to her and her wishes.

Helen will be dearly missed.

In memoriam donations to the charity of your choice are welcomed as an alternative to flowers, if you wish.

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