Serwa matriarch passes

Photo: Contributed

The matriarch of one of Kelowna's most well-known families has passed away.

Helen Serwa died Monday at the age of 106.

Affectionately known as "Bapka", Serwa's parents emigrated to Canada from the Ukraine in 1899.

Helen, the 10th of 13 children, was born in July of 1911 in Garland, Man.

She began attending school at the age of eight, not knowing a word of English. Upon finishing grade 12, she became a school teacher in a one-room school.

After a long friendship, Helen and Jack Serwa married in Dauphin, Man. in 1932. They eventually moved to Kelowna in 1945, when Jack began the Serwa Bulldozing Company.

In 1957 she helped to establish the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Kelowna, sang in the choir, played the mandolin, created and sewed many ethnic dancing costumes and later excelled in Ukrainian university courses.

Helen Serwa lived in her home, active and independent until the age of 105. She spent her last days at Good Samaritan Mountainview Village.

She is survived by three children, 18 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

Her son Cliff Serwa was one of the founders of Big White.