Helena KLUCZYNSKI

September 16, 1923 - July 30, 2022

Born in Russia in 1923 and orphaned at the age of 4, Helena lived a full and remarkable life and will be remembered for her many stories of survival, courage, and resilience. She survived World War II after being taken as a forced labourer to Germany at age 17, and spent five years following the war in a displaced persons camp. In 1950, she and her young family boarded a refugee ship and spent 11 days sailing to her new life in Canada. After landing at Pier 21 in Halifax, they arrived at their destination in Newmarket, Ontario which then had a population of 5,000 people. They came without any money or education, and no knowledge of the English language. They had in their possession a single blue trunk which held all of their possessions. From living in a single room on Timothy Street, to another room in a house on Eagle Street, in 1953 the family bought their first home on Queen Street. It was purchased with a down payment loaned to them from their landlord. It was here that they raised their expanding family, and always expressed gratitude for the life and "gift of Canada". Cherished wife of the late Antony Kluczynski and mother to Maria (Peter), Jon, Wayne (Diane), and the late Joseph, Theresa, and Stanislav. Dear grandmother to Alex (Lynne), Alicia (Dayn), Payton (Cody), Sam, Sydney, and great-grandmother to Ajay and Emilee. One of Helena's fondest memories from the 50's is of her dear newfound friend Hilda from across the street who would regularly call to say, "Helena, put on the kettle. I'm coming for a cup of tea!" Hilda, Antony and the kids are waiting mom. Put on the Kettle.