Helen Koliaska 1935 ~ 2013

Mrs. Helen Koliaska, beloved wife of Mr. Alex Koliaska, passed away at the Fairmont Extendicare on Thursday, October 10, 2013 at the age of 78 years.

Helen is survived by her husband Alex, daughter Kathryn Koliaska (Ryan McKay) and son John Koliaska (Jerilyn); grandchildren Taeya, Aliya and Duke Koliaska and Elizabeth and Mark McKay; brother Les Lavkulich (Mary Ann), brother Jack Lavkulich and sister Joanne Lavkulich (Bruce Elniski). She was predeceased by her parents, sister Rosalie and brother John. Born in 1935, she grew up in the Sunnyside district, attending Crystal Lake and Hardieville schools. Helen enrolled in university and began her teaching career at Readymade and Coaldale. She went on to complete her Bachelor of Education with a major in Art from the University of Alberta. Her first job was at St. Michael's, an inner city school in Edmonton, adding counseling and library duties to her job. She piloted a project to integrate the mentally and physically handicapped children into the regular system. She was an early advocate of inclusive education; a highlight of her career. She attained her master teacher designation and completed courses toward her Masters of Education. Helen returned to Lethbridge in 1966 due to family concerns. She met Alex and they married in 1968 and settled on a farm south of Lethbridge near the airport. Helen continued her involvement with substitute teaching at McNally and serving on parent councils and committees. Life was filled with the usual duties of parenting - music lessons, soccer tournaments, dance performances and fieldtrips. She was an attentive and dedicated mother, and together with Alex provided many school lunches for the entire classrooms and helped whenever possible. She was a superb cook and excelled in baking and cake decorating. Their children were their first priority. She was active in home and school functions and was a member of the Hungarian Culture Club. A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Tuesday, October 15, 2013 at MARTIN BROTHERS RIVERVIEW CHAPEL, 610 4th Street South, Lethbridge. Interment to follow at the Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be donated to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, Suite 408, 740 4th Avenue South, Lethbridge, AB T1J 0N9.