HELENE ELIZABETH BRUCHET, beloved wife of 66 years to George M Bruchet, passed away peacefully on November 19, at the age 87 years in Lethbridge.
Helene was born on January 5, 1920, and was raised on the family farm in the Sunnyside/Crystal Lake area just outside of Lethbridge. There she grew up with her parents, John and Mary Yackulic, and her 5 older siblings. Helene was a good student and a star athlete and graduated from high school in Coaldale in 1937. She loved to tell stories of life on the farm, Colonel Hornsby, her father's penchant for gambling and her many trips to Lethbridge to attend dances and eating at the White Lunch Cafe.
Helene met George Bruchet, a dashing young hockey player from Lethbridge in 1940 when she was 20 years of age. They married on February 23, 1941 and have been faithful companions ever since.

These were the War years. George enlisted for duty in 1942 and was posted to France in 1944. Helen worked for Safeway and Jenkins during this time of high anxiety. She tells of going to the Post Office each day dreading to see the name of her dear George on the posting of injured or deceased soldiers.

Her George was to return safely to her in the summer of 1946 and they established at home in Lethbridge. George went to work with his brothers in the painting business while Helene continued her work with Safeway. Helene gave birth to their first child, Carol in April, 1943. Tragically their child died at 6 weeks of age.

Helene and George joyfully gave birth to their second child, Denise on November 4, 1949. The family moved a lot during Denise's childhood in pursuit of the building boom. They lived for a number of years in Pasadena and Sacramento California as well as Prince George, BC before settling back in Lethbridge in 1966.

Like her father, Helene loved working in her own business. She loved her days running the Club Cigar Store and later the Brulene Paint Store, which she and George operated for 16 years until 1988.

The period of 1978 to Helene's passing was devoted to the caring for her husband, daughter, son in-law, grandchildren, family, friends and home. She and George adored their grandchildren, Ryan and Lani, to whom she was known as ""Babu"". They loved picking them up from school, having them stay overnight and going for yearly summer vacations in their motor home. They loved to have family and friends over for dinner and a night of Crazy Rummy. When you went to Helene's for supper a virtual smorgasbord of delicious food was placed before you.

Helene was a very independent person who tolerated no nonsense and feared nothing other than the safety of her family. She was also a person with enormous energy, and a generous and loving heart who welcomed all to her home. She loved her homes and had a special thing for high heel shoes. She was a master with money and yet she and George were never ostentatious in their use of it. Helene did not know the meaning of rest and worked hard all her life, thanking God each day for the blessings he had given her and remained faithful in her deep love for Him. She embraced life head on, but found peace and joy with her family surrounding her on her passing.

Helene is survived by her husband George M Bruchet, her daughter Denise (Grant) Alger of Lethbridge, her two grandchildren, Ryan Alger (Kristin Middleton) and Lani Alger (Mitchell Carpenter) also of Lethbridge. Helene has a special place in her heart for her nephews, Patrick (Karen) Smith and Darrel Yackulic, and her nieces, Rita Shlief, Carol Savery, Marlene Smith, Karen Young, Linda Brovold, and Valerie Charlesworth.
Helene was pre-deceased by her parents, John and Mary Yackulic, daughter, Carol, her sisters, Mary Mogus, Annie Smith and her brothers, John and Mike Yackulic and Steve Young.

Vigil Rites (Prayers) will be held at 7:00PM on Thursday, November 22, 2007 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 - 4 Street South, Lethbridge, led by Francis and Cybele Naronha.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Friday, November 23, 2007 at ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 318 - 10 Street South, Lethbridge with Fr. Tim Boyle celebrant. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.

Flowers are gratefully declined. Those who wish may make a memorial donation to the Canadian Red Cross to purchase a malaria net for a child in Africa (www.malariabites.net) or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, 207, 542 - 7 Street South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 2H1.