It is with great sadness that the family announces the sudden passing of Helen Stephens of Boyle at the age of 85 on Friday, August 28, 2026.
Helen was born in 1941 to Peter and Stefania Wolak on a mixed farm in the Spruce Valley district of Alberta. She loved to help with meal preparations as well as outside chores and even didn't mind milking cows by hand.
After completing her schooling in Grassland, she attended the McTavish Business College taking up business administration. Returning to her home community, she worked at various business jobs including telephone switchboard operator, bank, medical clinic, and finally took a position of Administrative Assistant with the Village of Boyle from where she retired after 33 years. She was a very social person and immensely enjoyed serving the public. Helen had a special ability and never went anywhere without talking to the people around her, often making new acquaintances. She always acknowledged others and made them feel like they mattered. Helen was kind, considerate, always willing to help others and was an excellent community resource person.
She loved to cook and you never left her place hungry and often had extra food to take home. They grew a large vegetable garden and many family and friends enjoyed the extra bounty.
Helen will be sadly missed by her loving husband of 57 years, Fred; son, Kevin (Terry), children Thomas (Brandi), Kayla and their families; sister, Lillian Markowski; brother Edward (Loretta) Wolak and sister-in-law, Marilyn Carr; nephews Allan Markowski, Ken Wolak and niece, Sheila (Brian) Kostyk and their families. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews on Fred's side of the family.
She was predeceased by her parents, Peter and Stefania Wolak, her infant brother, Edward, as well as her older brother, John Wolak and his wife Stella; brother-in-law, Victor Markowski; and her niece Carol Wolak. She is also predeceased by in-laws, William and Marjorie Stephens, Marjorie (Archie) Miller, Dorothy (Royce) Bates, William (Bud) Stephens, Gilbert Stephens, Linda Dionne, and David Carr.
A memorial open house will be held at the Boyle Seniors Drop In Centre on Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 11:00 – 2:00 P.M.