Helen Olivia Derhak

Helen Olivia Derhak (Rochelle) was born on March 28, 1924, in the Crawford Park District, to Jacob and Anne Rochelle (Gregorash).  She began her schooling at Clear Creek School.   In 1930, they moved to Sandy Lake and Helen continued her school years in Sandy Lake where she finished her Grade 11.  She worked for a while at the Co-op Store where her dad was the Co-op manager. She also worked at one of the cafes in town.  Living by the lake, she enjoyed swimming and became an excellent swimmer. She swam with some of her friends across the lake a few times.  Baseball and volleyball were her favorite sports.  She also began curling at an early age when the first curling rink was built. She was also a good skater; making figure 8’s.  They only had outdoor rinks then and she had to skate in the moonlight as there was no hydro in those days.

On November 3, 1941, she married Stephen Derhak, son of John and Mary Derhak (Shindruk) at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church.  Their wedding dinner was held in the old hall and the dancing was in the old catholic hall.  This was the first wedding to be held in a hall, as in those days they were always held in their homes.  They lived on the farm with Steve’s parents for 5 years.  When his parents moved to town, they farmed for 35 years. They sold the farm in 1974 and moved to town and built a new home to enjoy their retirement. They were blessed with 9 children: Diane, Garry, Dennis, Darlene, Marlene, Janice, John, Allan and Angela.

While living on the farm, she raised many chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese.  She always had a large garden and did lots of vegetable canning and preserves.  She loved to bake and cook and was noted for her culinary arts, fancy cakes, dainties, sandwiches and various food arrangements.  Her children always had fancy cakes prepared for their birthdays, Valentines or Halloween parties.  She had an artistic touch in various crafts such as: Ukrainian easter eggs, ceramics, cross stitching, knitting and quilting.  She had a large collection of recipes, poems, special events, weather data etc. She loved to read, music, dancing, dramas, playing cards, bingo, singing, curling., swimming, gardening and always volunteering her time in the community.  Even at 92 years old, she still was active in the community. 

Helen was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Stephen in 2003; daughters Marlene in infancy, Darlene in 2005; father and mother:   Jacob and Ann Rochelle; sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Ken Bartlett; brother, Earl Rochelle, in-laws: John and Mary Derhak, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws, Ina and Leo Hurd; Helen and John Porter and son-in-laws, Michael Bachewich, Mike Duchominski, brother-in-law Walter Derhak.

Helen was a member of the Sandy Lake Legion Ladies Auxiliary #184 joining in 1952.  She was a receiver of an honorary life membership in 2012.  She held most of the offices throughout the years.   She sang with the Auxiliary choir and centennial choir.  She belonged to the Sandy Lake St. Nicholas Orthodox Church and held various offices in the church and north hall and also sang in the choir.  Both Helen and Steve were great community workers.  They worked during elections, as enumerator, returning officer, scrutineer and clerk.  She was a member of the Sandy Lake Drop In Centre and an auditor.  She worked for 14 years as a dietary aide in the Sandy Lake Nursing Home and retired in 1989. 

Helen’s home was always open to family and friends.  She loved to entertain and made a great hostess.  Everywhere they traveled, they made lasting friendships. They used to spend two weeks holiday at Fairmount Hot Springs and Radium Hot Springs in the fall.

Helen leaves to mourn her children:  daughters: Diane Bachewich of Sandy Lake; Janice Duchominski of Winnipeg and Angela Brookman (Ken) of Winnipeg; sons: Garry (Doreen) of Calgary, Dennis (Darlene) of Winnipeg, John (Joan) of Oakburn and Allan (Nancy) of Riding Mountain.  Her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchild: Darcy Wahoski (Mark) and their children: Jaycelyn, Janelle (her child Kruz) and Kyle; Blair Bachewich (Pam) and their children Tyson and Tonielle; Stacey Derhak (fiancée Dale Brilton); Laura Farwell (Ryan) and their children; Scarlet Ann and Ivy Margaret; Kimberly Gerardy (Peter) and their children Owen and Ella Rose; David   Duchominski; Shelley Bedry ( Carlin) and their children, Alexandra and Victoria; Korey Sichewski (Leanne) and their children, Mads and Raynier; Larissa Kempthorne (Derek) and their children: Emerson and Winston;   Bradley Derhak (Teagan) and their children: Beckham, Zaidyn and Kruz, Kyle Derhak and fiancée Jean Really; Breann Bookman; and Kaila Derhak and her children: Blake and Ian, sister-in-law, Jean Derhak of Winnipeg and many nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.