With great sorrow the family of Helena Marie Tracz announce her passing on August 25th, 2023, one day before her birthday on August 26th. She left us surrounded with the deep love of her family, friends and the support of the special caregivers of the Hogarth-Riverview Manor (7th floor).
Helena was born at our then home on McLaughlin St. in the east end of Fort William, Ontario, the only daughter of Joseph and Marie Tracz. A few years later we moved to Simpson St., where a living quarters addition was built on to father’s engraving and photo studio.
Helena’s greatest desire was to become a nurse and was admitted to the new residence and classes of the McKellar School of Nursing in 1956 and graduated two years later. During this tenure she made nursing friendships that have lasted until these recent years. It must be mentioned that to follow her daughter, Mom Tracz took employment at the Ontario Hospital and became a Nursing Assistant. During Mom’s studies for this position, it was our turn to ask her questions for her qualifying exams.
Her first nursing position was as a ward nurse at Hope B.C.’s Frasier Canyon Hospital, which funded her dream to travel to Hawaii. In those days nurses wore a stiff starched bib and a white cap with double black band, but her real pride and joy was the black nursing cape. She parted this world with her cape in hand.
Several years later Helena, with her new professional references, took employment with Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital and worked with Dr. Wilder Penfield in the position of Chief Neurosurgical Nurse. While visiting at home (here), she would have her binder open to study operating procedures and those many stainless-steel instruments needed for brain surgery… The political situation at that time in Quebec was precarious and in spite of 11 years of service, she left for Toronto’s Humber River Hospital. A new town-house purchase, steady employment and more free time allowed Helena to continue her education, enrolling at York University to obtain a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. She retired from nursing as Operating Room and Recovery Room Manager at Grey Bruce Hospital in Owen Sound, Ontario.
Helena had the greatest passion and devotion for her pet purebred English Cocker spaniels. She bred them, trained them, won medal after medal with ribbons to fill a room, and she named most of them from English poets: Chauser, Longfellow, and lastly Shawn. She was a member of the Owen Sound Grey Bruce Kennel Club acting as Vice President and lifetime member of the Canadian Kennel Club.
Helena travelled extensively, many a time to friends in Switzerland, Florida, and first time ever to South Africa. On safari, she rode an elephant which later brushed her with his trunk.
Predeceased by her father Joseph, mother Marie Catherine, dearest brother (in nursing) Michael, Aunt Anne (Hazelton, BC), Cousin Elizabeth Ann (Salmo, BC).
She is survived by her “older” brother Peter Joseph (Diane), Thunder Bay, brother Joseph Stephen (Suzanne), Ottawa, ON, sister-in-law Michele Tracz (Paul), nephews Warren Tracz (Gwen), Barrie, ON, Michael Tracz (Amy), Thunder Bay, John Tracz (Susan), Ottawa, ON, nieces Allison Chambers (Dan), Thunder Bay, Natasha Shack (Jason), Thunder Bay, Cousins Anne-Marie McInnes, Vancouver, BC, Paul Cooshek, Vancouver, BC. Also remembered by Anna-Marie Butts (Tom), Thunder Bay, and numerous great nieces and nephews, close friends, Betty, Hanover, ON, and Eileen, Markham, ON.
It was Helena’s final request to be resting next to her mother, Marie Catherine, in St. Andrew’s Mausoleum. A private family service was held on August 31, 2023 with Father Francis of Our Lady of Loretto. Our family plans to plant a pear tree in her memory.
Helena, in your final year, we are happy that you joined us in Thunder Bay for all our special moments together. We will miss your smiling face from under your red Tilley hat.
If donations are your way of remembrance to Helena, please support our St. Joseph’s Foundation of Thunder Bay, the Shelter House of Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay Humane Society, or the charity of your choice.
