Helen Theresa Rainko (nee Yablonski)

November 13, 1930 - December 30, 2022
In loving memory ~
Helen passed away peacefully on Friday, December 30th at the age of 92 years. The loving wife of Edward for 58 years deceased in 2011. She was the youngest of 6 siblings, with her only surviving sister Josie Czerkawski of Brandon, Manitoba. Survived by her daughter Heather (Ian Adair) of Fairmont Hot Springs, British Columbia, granddaughter Alanna (Nathan deBoer), great granddaughters Annika and Everly, and grandson Adam, all from Calgary, Alberta, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Helen started her career in Selkirk, Manitoba, graduating as a Registered Psychiatric and LPN Nurse. She worked at the Selkirk Psychiatric Hospital, the Brandon Hospital, and later at Verdun Protestant Hospital in Quebec, where she and Edward moved after marriage.
After she started a family, Helen worked in the accounts department for Smith Kline & French for 14 years before moving to Vancouver BC in 1973. She then worked for SuperValu, Kelly Douglas and Lucerne on a temporary basis before starting a permanent position with Northern West Elevators in their accounting department where she stayed until she retired 14 years later. Helen and Ed then moved from the Lower Mainland to Langley in retirement and then finally to Vernon, where they built a beautiful home in a wonderful neighborhood, happily living there for 15 years.
Helen was a truly independent woman, she was organized and always prompt, self sufficient driving her car until she was 90. She enjoyed travel, reading, playing card games, and walking her little dog Missy. She loved to spend time with her family, especially with her grandchildren over the years. She was overjoyed to be a great grandmother and cherished the weekly FaceTimes with family, as it was the highlight of her week. She had many friends, and was a member of Schubert Centre, BC Pensioners and Seniors Organization of Vernon.
Helen will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Many thanks to all the Doctors, Nurses and staff at the Vernon Jubilee Hospital. A very special thank you from her family to everyone at Invermere and District Hospital for all the care and compassion shown.
A Memorial Service will be held at All Saints Anglican Church in Vernon on Saturday, April 29 at 2:00 pm. If so desired, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.