Helena La Rocca

Halina (Helena) La Rocca

June 9, 1941 – September 30, 2024

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Halina (Helena) La Rocca (Ploszaj) on September 30, 2024. Loving mother to Juliana (Robert), Michael (Mary), Nicole (Kevin) and grandmother to Christopher, Daniel and great-grandmother to Rosalee. She will be sadly missed by her friends and family.

Predeceased by her mother Zofia Ploszaj (Laslniewska), brothers Henryk, Theodore and Richard and her father Stanislaw.

Born 1941 during WW2, her family was uprooted from Poland and sent to Siberia where she was born. Her older brothers Theodore and Richard died of scarlet fever there. Her father fought with the Polish Army. They travelled to Iran, Africa, and Gloucestershire, England, where her mother died at 35. Halina and her brother Henryk eventually came to Canada in 1951 and landed in Halifax at Pier 21, she was 10 and her brother 12, they were reunited with their father in Toronto.

Despite the war, and turbulent start to her life, Helena was known for her quick wit, wonderful sense of humour, a twinkle in her eye and infectious smile. She always had a kind word and patience for all.

Helena married and was a mother to Juliana, Michael and Nicole. She divorced and went back to school and trained for an office administration position and then worked at CMHC until she retired.

Helena was an avid bowler and won many trophies. She loved to read and do crossword puzzles. Helena was known as the Scrabble queen, and we called her the human dictionary. She had a great love for animals and had 5 cats in her lifetime as well as supporting the Toronto Humane Society, she always had a little pet or a treat for dogs in her neighbourhood.

She will be missed deeply by us all.

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