Passed away peacefully on August 26, 2004 in her 84th year. Helen was born in 1921 in Endeavour, Saskatchewan, the daughter of Ukrainian pioneers on the western prairies. Her early years were spent on a farm where she acquired her love of gardening and medicinal plants. During World War II, she attended hairdressing school. Shortly after the war, she married John (Jack) Hancherow from her hometown of Canora, Saskatchewan. They moved to the Lakehead where their eldest son Ken was born in 1947. They moved to Marathon the following year, where Bob was born in 1950 and Rhonda in 1959. Helen was predeceased by her husband in 1972, parents Ichtemia (Emma) and Metro Antemuik, a sister Anne and her brother Henry and sister-in-law Arlene. She is survived by her sister Mary, sons Ken (Anastasia), Bob (Wendy), daughter Rhonda, her grandchildren Tonya (Mark) Surman, Kyra (Graham) Stanley, and Jay, Shawn and Dane Hancherow. Her great grandchildren include Tristan and Ethan Surman and Kaiden Stanley and her special friends Kim Rainone and family. Helen will be remembered for her gentle nature and her spirituality as a following of Eckankas. Helen could always be found digging out weeds in her garden or cooking pyrohies in her kitchen. Friends many call at the Northwood Funeral Home (942 Great Northern Road 945-7758) on Monday, August 30 from 12 p.m. until time of Memorial Service at 1 p.m. in the Chapel. A special thanks to Dr. Pauline Bragaglia and Triesta and all the staff at the Windsor Park Retirement Home and Tendercare/Extendicare Nursing Home for their care and compassion. Friends and family may call at the Northwood Funeral Home on Monday, August 30, 2004. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Big Brothers Association of Sault Ste. Marie or the Group Health Centre Trust Fund would be appreciated. Www.northwoodfuneral.com
