Helen Podsiadlo (Dyll)

Mar 27, 1920 – Jan 2, 2020

Helen passed away in her 100th year on January 2nd. She was determined to bring in the new decade. Her daughters, Diane and Linda, shared her journey. We are proud and so blessed to have had such a devoted, caring, talented, and incredibly strong mother and role model. Helen was fortunate to have a long life and leave behind indelible memories. Helen will be best remembered for loving her family, as she would say, "with her whole heart".

Helen was never without her beautiful smile. She was gracious, witty, always kind and non-judgemental. Helen was proud of her home and family. She was creative and a very talented sewer and crafter. She loved entertaining, baking, playing cards, travel, beloved family visits to Sauble Beach with the "Blue Rinse Tour", and Christmas.

Helen was born and raised on a farm near Alliston, Ontario to Polish parents. Helen's father Michael passed away in 1956, and her mother Mary in 1973. She had two older brothers, Tom and John Dyll. Tom passed away in 1994, his wife, Evelyn, in 2017, and John in 1992. The farm remained a big part of Helen's life where the family spent summers, many weekends, and Christmas. Helen moved to Toronto, barely 20 years old, and created a career as a seamstress where she developed gifted sewing skills and fashion sense. Helen and her husband, Andrew, who died suddenly in 1977 of a heart attack, raised three children in their home in the core of Toronto. Richard, Helen's most cherished son, sadly passed away from cancer in 2004, and his wife, Angie, passed away from cancer in 2017. Diane, whose husband Peter also passed away from cancer in 2006, has been caring for her mother for the past eight years. Linda, Helen's youngest daughter, lives near Mom in Oakville with her husband Philip, and Phyllis, Helen's "adopted" daughter lives in Chicago with her husband Paul. Helen would say she has two sets of grandchildren: Richard's children, Alison, David and Michael, now adults with successful and established lives with two great-grandchildren, six step great-grandchildren and four step great-great grandchildren; and Diane's son Andrew, and Linda's children, Kate (Noah) and William (Ally), all now young adults who kept their Baba active and young at heart.

In 1991, Helen relocated from the Toronto home she loved for almost 50 years to a condo in Oakville. Helen was one of the original "Oaks" residents, moving into the building in time to celebrate the Christmas season with her new friends. She was an active member of the Wednesday coffee group, played cards, attended every special event and travelled with the dear friends she made and sadly lost over the years.

In recent years, Helen's life was enhanced by many wonderful caregivers. For six years, the exceptional team at S.E.N.A.C.A. Palermo Senior's Day Program became a part of our family. Thank you to Sheryl, Lorna, Tina, Wendy, Elizabeth, Tyler and so many others. A special thank you to Harjeet for her daily care, Kelly and Virginia, and to Darlene for her companionship every Monday.

Donations of choice in Helen's name appreciated. The family would like you to consider S.E.N.A.C.A. Senior's Day Program with a special note directing the funds to Palermo. (S.E.N.A.C.A. Senior's Day Program, 53 Bond St. Oakville, ON L6K 1L8, Attn: Wendy McBride).

Visitation will be held at the Kopriva Taylor Community Funeral Home, 64 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville (one block East of Kerr Street, 905-844-2600) from 10:00 am Tuesday, January 7, 2020 with a funeral service taking place at 12:00 noon in the Kopriva Taylor Chapel. Reception to follow. Private interment will take place.