It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Helen Whitford – Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Sister and Friend, on Sunday March 25/18 at Porcupine Carragana Hospital.
Helen was born to Edward and Daisy Kostick on July 21/1935 near Limerick, Sk., she was the 6th of 10 children. She spent her early years on the family farm at Melaval before moving to Valor where she attended Jackson school, off to Assiniboia she ventured to find work and that is where she met Pat. They later moved to Moose Jaw, where they were wed. Their son Barry arrived on April 6, 1956 and their daughter Shelly arrived on Nov 18,1958 both born in Moose Jaw.
Pat’s employment with Sask Power took them from Moose Jaw, to Prince Albert, to Saskatoon and finally Outlook. After Pat’s retirement they moved to Tisdale and later Bjorkdale. Pat passed away in April of 1990. Helen continued living in Bjorkdale until the time of her passing.
In addition to Mom raising her 2 children, she always kept a large garden and a beautiful yard. Her love of gardening was evident thru out her life and she enjoyed preserving the vegetables and sharing them with her family and friends. Her dill pickles were enjoyed by many and Mom just recently passed her recipes on to her family. Mom even tried her hand at raising cattle and was darn good at it. Her herd was her prize possession, and the love for her animals was evident. Unfortunately, she was forced to retire and sell them. Mom loved the lake, spending her time with family and friends enjoying the serenity of Tobin Lake. The last few years Mom really enjoyed relaxing on the water sipping a couple of cool ones on the pontoon boat, making waves and catching rays!!
Mom was predeceased by her parents Edward & Daisy, her husband Pat, her brothers Bill, Mike & Ed and her sister Gladys. Her brother in law Bob Kinnee sister in laws Lil, Jean and Marg Kostick.
She is survived by her son Barry (Deenna), grandsons James, Kurt (Heather), Kelvin and Derek and her great granddaughter Mickenzie and great grandson Weston; her daughter Shelly (Landis). Her long-time friend Don, along with her sisters Vera, Marie, Pearl (Doug) and her brothers Gordon, Leslie (Mary). As well as many nieces and nephew and good friends.
There will be a private prayer service for immediate family members at a later date, and in lieu of flowers memorial donations can be sent in her name to Northeast SPCA – Melfort, Sk.
If Roses Grow in Heaven (by Delores M Garcia) – If roses grow in heaven, Lord please pick a bunch for me, place them in my Mother’s arms and tell her they’re from me. Tell her I love her and miss her and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for awhile. Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but there is an ache within heart that will never go away.