Helen Berzinski Evanoff

On Monday April 27, 2020, Helen (Berzinski) Evanoff peacefully passed away at Extendicare, Timmins. The family is grateful that she was given the Last Rites by Monsignor Pat Lafleur of Saint Anthony Padua Cathedral Parish. 

Her funeral was held at Timmins Memorial Cemetery (Poppy & Tulip Lane) on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 1 pm. Father John Lemire from Saint Anthony Padua provided the service. He knew Helen from when he was a young man working in the Lord's Kitchen at the Church of Nativity. He also recalled that he was an altar boy at her husband's funeral service in 1979. 

Helen was born on Monday, February 13, 1922 in Timmins, Ontario to Anna Homolovich and Julian Berzinski of Polish-Ukrainian descent with ancestral ties to Lviv - a city in the Ukraine that dates back to 1256. It is believed that Anna Homolovich may have been born in Austria and later moved to Lviv with her family. Helen was predeceased by one brother, Joseph Berzinski, and a sister, Olga Lupien, of Toronto and her husband, John Evanoff (Stanchoff) on March 20, 1979. 

John Evanoff, Helen's husband, emigrated to Canada with his father and his brother, Tony via Ellis Island around 1918 when the Russian Revolution was impacting Bulgaria. He was born in Lovech, Bulgaria - The City of Lilacs - on March 29, 1908 - son to Victoria Toderov and Nicholas Stanchev (Stanchoff, Evanoff). Giovann as he was known to members in the community was predeceased by his brother, Tony and sister, Irene. John Evanoff was a goldminer at the Buffalo Ankerite Mine and helped to clear the land where several main streets are now found in Timmins. He was the owner and operator of Johnny's Fries. Helen and John were married on May 20, 1936.

Sadly, Helen was predeceased by her two first born babies, Frederick and Josephine, her son Nicholas, daughter Victoria, sons-in-law, Richard Pothier, Clair Imber and Larry Haliday as well as three grandchildren, Mark Imber, Sharlene Sandrelli, Anthony Sandrelli and a nephew, William Russell.  On December 15, 2021, her granddaughter, Kim Imber passed away in St. Catherines, Ontario.

Helen leaves behind 3 daughters: Anne, Evonna, Juliana and a son, Vic. She was survived at the time of her death by 7 grandchildren: Kim Imber, Clarke Mathis, Alex Chartrand, Donna, Charlene, Sandy, and Anthony Sandrelli, as well as 23 great grandchildren. Helen was also an aunt to the Russell family: Barbara, Rosie, Vicky, Douglas, Vernon & Karen as well as to Rose and Bill Evanoff, Rosalyn Berzinski and Joyce Lupien. She had several grandchildren/great grandchildren related to Evonna/Richard Mathis and the Clayton/Markham Families.

Her parents came to the Porcupine Camp in 1909 from Lviv - Ukraine/Poland. After the Porcupine Fire, they moved to a farm outside of Ramore temporarily. They moved back to the Porcupine Camp once the recovery was in process and eventually the area became known as Timmins. Her parents lived in Winnipeg for a short time prior to moving to the Porcupine Camp.

For several decades, Helen worked as a volunteer in Timmins - the Canadian Red Cross, St. Mary's Hospital, the Canadian Cancer Society, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Catholic Women's League, the Lord's Kitchen, The Church of Nativity, The Epilepsy Foundation, The Ukrainian Culture Festival, and for a time was the Social Convenor for the seniors in her building as well as many other organizations and associations. As the years went by, she continued to do what she could for others even when her eyesight was failing. 

In 1996, the Canadian Government recognized Helen for all that she did for her community by presenting her with the Governor General’s Award for Volunteerism. Vic Powers, Mayor of Timmins at the time, hosted a party at the Senator Hotel to celebrate this occasion. In addition, Helen was awarded the Paul Harris Medal from the Rotary Club for her dedication to community. Her faith meant everything to her and she worked diligently in the Lord's Kitchen at the Church of Nativity to feed members of the community.  

She was also instrumental in organizing various functions to raise money to feed children caught up in hunger pandemics in third world countries. Various organizations have honored her over the years for her hard work and dedication. Helen was known as "the lady with the heart of gold" and she did her best to make the world a better place for others.  She was always cheerful, kind-hearted and gave generously of her time. 

Helen worked hard all her life, raising 6 children, working in the family's small business - maybe some people might even remember, the painted chip wagon that read, Johnny’s Fries. While her husband was parked in various locations (including the Hollinger Park) selling the best fries in town, she was peeling potatoes with her children, maintaining a home, cooking, cleaning, sewing and then going to the Fries Truck to sell fries until midnight. She was a terrific cook and could turn a few ingredients into a ‘feast for kings”.  Looking back, it is hard to believe how Helen was able to fit so much into one day. She seemed to have endless energy and she never complained in spite of life’s many challenges and difficulties. 

Helen enjoyed interacting with people and she loved life. She loved to dance and sing and was passionate about the arts. She was an avid gardener and connected with nature on a daily basis. She always grew her own vegetables and maintained a beautiful flower garden at 369 Oak Avenue where she lived for the first half of her life.

At her senior complex on Mountjoy Street, she had a plot to grow vegetables and did so for a few years until her eyesight diminished. Helen also loved to feed the birds on a regular basis and as she got to know them, she gave them names. How do we know that? There was an occasion, when she expressed concern at not seeing Lucy on an outing that day. When she was asked who Lucy was, she replied: “one of the birds”.  She was an active member of the Naturalist Club: Timmins Birders.

Although she only went to school until grade five, you would never know that she had no formal education. She spoke several languages and was articulate in every one. She had deep faith in God and believed in the goodness of people.  She had a special energy and a grace about her. 

Helen possessed a great attitude in spite of failing eyesight, knee surgeries and other health issues. She liked to walk everywhere she went when she could so she wasn’t very happy when the doctors told her she would never be able to walk fast again. After taking in that news, she simply said, “Oh well, at least I'll still be able to walk.” She was always grateful for whatever life dealt her and chose to look at things from the bright side. Helen leaves a great legacy of doing the best you can in spite of challenging circumstances and counting your blessings. She will be missed by her friends, family and the residents of Timmins that experienced her loving kindness, compassion and first hand care.  Helen was loved by her children, friends and those who knew her over many decades.

Her extended family of health workers and care givers loved being with her and did their best to support her under difficult conditions.  We especially want to acknowledge the incredible support of Monsignor Pat Lafleur who went out of his way to be with Helen and provide her with the Last Rites under some challenging circumstances.  “God Bless you all” was  Helen’s favourite way to say goodbye and no doubt, she said that as she left this world. 

Helen Evanoff will be greatly missed by so many - she was our sunshine, our only sunshine, she made us happy when skies were gray.  Life will not be the same without the energy she always brought to the table. 

Recently, Helen's immediate family learned from the City of Timmins that she was laid to rest at The Timmins Memorial Cemetery alongside her husband, John Evanoff on May 1, 2020 - Section R, Row 11, Plot 460 (Poppy Lane/Tulip Lane) without her parish priest or loved ones being notified. She was buried alone without ceremony and no doubt, a broken heart. The pandemic had adverse outcomes for many families in this respect.  

"Though those that are betray'd Do feel the treason sharply, yet the traitor Stands in worse case of woe."  William Shakespeare 

The City of Timmins has yet to announce what award they will create to honour Helen's Legacy. George Pirie, now the MPP for Timmins, or Kristin Murray, Acting Mayor were unable to attend the ceremony at the Timmins Museum. Director/Curator, Karen Bachmann, took the lead to honour Helen's Legacy with the Evanoff Collection and the Bursary Announcement for TH&VS. Perhaps some time in the future, the City of Timmins will follow through on their commitment to honour Helen Evanoff's Legacy. 

Please plant a tree in her memory and donate to a children’s charity that makes a difference in the world in her name.  No doubt, Helen would be grateful for your kindness.

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