Whitney Pier
We, the loving family, regret to announce the peaceful passing of our mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Helena Sokol, 12 days shy of her 93rd birthday, on Dec. 12, 2015 at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney, with her loving family by her side.
Helen was born on Dec. 24, 1922 in Janowice, Poland. She was the youngest daughter of the late Jan and Zofia Wrzesniak. Torn from her family, she was taken by German soldiers and sent to Germany to work on farms, supplying food to the soldiers, at the tender age of 16. Through the suffering of the Second World War, Helen found the love of her life, her future husband, Zygmunt Sokol. Married in Germany in 1945, they began their life long journey. Zygmunt immigrated to Canada through Pier 21 in 1951. The following year Helen began her journey with her two young children to begin her new life. Together they settled and built their home in Whitney Pier.
Mom was a wonderful cook, making the best perogies and cabbage rolls ever tasted. Everyone who visited our home embraced and enjoyed her Polish cooking. The combination of Dad, a baker by trade and gardener by choice, and Mom, truly the best cook in the world, our home always provided great tasty meals for family and friends.
A passionately devote Catholic, Helen was a loyal parishioner of St Mary’s Polish Church, Whitney Pier, for over 50 years.
Survived by her loving daughter, Irene (Vince) Boutilier, Sydney; loving son, Steve (Maureen) Sokol, Sydney; grandchildren, Stephen Sokol, Sydney, Corinne (Mike) Jessome, Fredericton, Denise Zabka, Irvine, California, Leanne Boutilier, Sydney, and great-grandchildren, Bridgette and Brittanni Jessome, Fredericton, Emma Harper, Sydney, and Sophia Zabka, Irvine, California.
Helena was predeceased by her loving husband, Zygmunt, parents, two sisters and one brother, who remained in Poland.
Visitation and funeral service to celebrate the life of Helena Sokol will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church Street) on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 1-3 p.m. with service to follow at 3 p.m. in the All Faith Chapel with Fr. Paul Murphy officiating. Light refreshments will be served in the reception area following the service. Interment will take place in Resurrection Cemetery, Sydney Forks.
Donations in memory of Helena may be made to Hospice Pallative Care Society of Cape Breton County, An Cala unit.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Just as someone said “She is gone”, someone said “Here she comes.” My darling wife, our loving daughter and our beloved sister, home at last.
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Online Condolences
Very sorry to hear of your Mother's passing.
From: Fred MacIntyre
Irene, Vince, Corinne, Mike, and Leanne, You are all in my thoughts and prayers. It is with great fondness that I remember Bok. Her humour, kindness, and of course, her cooking will be missed.
From: Joanne Kennedy
Irene ,we were so sorry to hear about the death of your mother. Please know that we're thinking of you during this difficult time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
From: Dave & Elsie Wilkie
From: Kevin McNeil