ILONA (ELENA) (HELEN) ANNA KAY, beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, peacefully passed away into the loving arms of her Savior on Friday, September 26, 2008 at the grand age of 97 years.

Elena was born on June 19, 1911 in Bresno Czechoslovakia, the 6th child of John and Anna Gombala. She immigrated to Daisytown, Pennsylvania at 5 years of age. She was an avid student who loved to read and learn. Elena resided there until the age of 14 years when she returned to Czechoslovakia with her family. At age 19, married and a new mother, Elena immigrated to Canada in July 1930. She lived in various areas including Barnwell, Coleman, Claresholm, Lomond, and finally Lethbridge. The early years were challenging with Mom raising her growing family and working at various jobs; as a laborer in the sugar beet fields, and as a cook and waitress. In the late 1950's she co-owned and operated the Blue Williow Inn Restaurant in Lomond along with her husband George. Elena put her excellent linguistic skills to use when she worked as an interpreter for the judicial system at the Lethbridge courthouse. In the 1960's Elena used her artistic flair when she was hired to design and hand make all of the Easter novelties for Kresge's Department Store. Mom enjoyed embroidery and crochet. Her work was impeccably done. She was a wonderful cook and baker and she took great pleasure in creating her savory dishes and confections for family and friends. She was particularly known for her chiffon cakes, which were beaten by hand for many years. Mom possessed an incredible sense of strength and exhibited it throughout her life. She was a woman of deep and unfailing faith no matter the circumstances. Mom was known by all who knew her for her beautiful smile, her great sense of humor and the twinkle in her eye.

Elena is survived by her daughter Karen, sons Ken David (Eunice) and Joe Saban (Emilie), 11 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She will be missed by granddaughter Kristie(Tad) (Saban) Chrapko and their family Alex, Ryan and Jamie. Grandma Kay will be especially missed by grandchildren, Lori (Conrad) Westerson and their children Ryan, Shaun and Shaelin, Shelly David and her daughter Zoe and Cameron (Tracie) David and their son Jason. Grandma shared a very special bond with each of them.
Elena was predeceased by former husbands Joseph Saban, and John David and
her husband George Kay, her son, John Saban, brothers John, Seven, Martin,and Steven and sisters Maria, Anna, and Agnes.

Our family would like to thank the Paramedic personnel, Dr Wesley Orr of the Emergency Department and the Emergency Department Staff. Dr Shane Mortimer and the 4C Medicine Staff including Bob, Ashleigh, Joanie, Tiffany and Dallas, the Laboratory and Medical Imaging staff and those whose names we did not know . Your professionalism, caring and compassion for both Elena and our family was so appreciated during these last very difficult days. We would also like to thank Dr Ray Kimberly, Dr Julian Raphael and the staff of the Haig Clinic, Lethbridge Medical Clinic, and Draffin's Dispensary for their caring support and medical expertise. Our mother was blessed to have those in her life who did much to enrich it and make the advancing years easier. Our thanks to Honor Sauvé, Brenda Fox and Connie Watmough, Bill and Bertha Wolff, Tracy Craig and Marion West, to caregivers Bernie, Corinna, Patricia and Kathy whose hearts were intertwined with their caring skills, our profound thanks. A very special and heartfelt thank you is also extended to the entire staff of Sunrise Village, Elena's home for the past 4 years. You are all a shining example of Care with Compassion and Dignity! There are not enough words to express the appreciation for everything you did for Mom during her residency.

Our family was so blessed to have Mom/Grandma with us for the length of time we did. We will miss her terribly but we know that she lives on in each one of us and that we will someday be reunited with her in heaven.

Vigil Rites (prayers) will be held at 7:00pm on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at MARTIN BROS. RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610- 4 Street South, Lethbridge.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday, October 1, 2008 at ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 318 - 10 Street South, Lethbridge, with Father Tim Boyle celebrant. Interment to follow in the Mountain View Cemetery.