Obituary of Helen Teresa Swol
Helen Theresa Swol (February 7, 1932 – May 16, 2024)
With hearts full of love and gratitude for her life, our family is sad to announce the passing of Helen Theresa Swol, at the age of 92.
Helen was born in Kamloops, BC, to John and Bronislawa Antoncyzk who had immigrated from Poland. The family later settled in St. Catharines, ON, where Helen grew up and built a happy and full life. At the age of 19, Helen married Walter Swol, with whom she loved to dance the polka, and they spent 44 years together before Walter’s death.
Industrious and hard-working, Helen raised five children, kept a sparkling house, and had a career with roles at the Ontario Ministry of Education and Family and Children’s Services (Niagara) where she made many dear friends. As a devoted daughter, Helen took care of her parents in their old age. In her retirement, she enjoyed travel adventures with Walter, and later with friends and her sister-in-law Sophie Kusiak.
Helen is celebrated and remembered with love by her children Patti Campbell, Linda and Vince Bevan, Kathy and the late Richard Gauthier, David and Tammy Swol. She is pre-deceased by her son Rick Swol. Babci will be missed dearly by grandchildren Scott, Mackenzie, Julie, Laura, and Daniel, and their partners, and by six great-grandchildren, Imogen, Hugo, Wynn, George, Wesley and Jade. Helen will also be remembered fondly by her brother and sister-in-law John and Grazina Antoncyzk, and by many nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends near and far.
A wearer of fur coats, high-heels, lipstick and perfume, our Babci was elegancki! A maker of cabbage rolls, pierogies, meat-on-a-stick, pickles, jello treat, pies and other of our favourites, she created amazing feasts—food was her love language. She was a great storyteller, the dispenser of wisdom and memorable sayings, the generous giver of loonies and toonies, and a full-voiced singer of Sto lat who remembered all of our birthdays. She treated us, offered prayers for us, and loved us in a way that will last forever.
The family would like to acknowledge the friendships Helen made over the last few years with the residents and employees of Stamford Estates.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or Family and Children Services (Niagara).
Kochamy cie Babci!
Visitation will be held at George Darte Funeral Home, 585 Carlton St, St Catharines, (905-937-4444) on Thursday May 23 from 11am -1pm. At Helen’s request cremation has taken place and a private family service will be held at a later time.