Helene passed away peacefully with her family by her side after a courageous two month battle with cancer. She was predeceased by her mother Helen Garraway. She is survived by her loving husband George Hayek, daughters Abigail and Rebecca, father Lyle Garraway (Mary), twin sister Renee Kelly (Paul), and brothers Dale and Bernard Garraway and Neil Antolin (Karen).
Helene was born and raised in Victoria. After graduating from Mt. Doug, she completed her B.A. in French at UVic. To further her experience in the French language she studied in Chicoutimi and Trois Rivieres before completing her teacher training at Laval in Quebec City. She returned to Victoria where she taught at Willows Elementary, Shawnigan Lake Secondary and Pacific Christian Secondary. She then chose to become a full time mother and had wonderful years with four year old Abigail and one year old Rebecca.
During her illness the strong Christian faith of both Helene and George carried them through this traumatic period.
The family would like to thank everyone who assisted during Helene’s illness. Special thanks go to Karen Haas from Brampton and Maria Tomolo from Montreal, Helene’s long time friends, who flew out to be with Helene and George.
Our family has the highest praise and deepest thanks for the doctors, nurses and support staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital Oncology Department, the Beacon support services and Victoria Hospice.
A private family burial service will take place on Wednesday, June 11th at 11:00 a.m. at Royal Oak Burial Park to be followed by a public memorial service at Glad Tidings Church, 1800 Quadra Street, Victoria on Saturday, June 21st at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Helene’s memory may be made to Victoria Hospice or The Canadian Red Cross.
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steve marley
To family of Helene,
I only recently heard that Helene had passed away and am very sorry. I was a friend of helene’s many years ago ( . I remember the sensitive kindness she showed towards many people during the brief time I knew her ( 2 years in Quebec. ) She spent a christmas with my family in Ontario and I especially remember how wonderful she was with my 97 year old grandmother.
I am happily married with 2 children ( 3 and 6 ) my heart goes out to you. I ‘ll leave you with these words from Romans 8 10 “Since Christ lives within you, even though your body will die because of sin, your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God” ) God Bless Stephen Marley, p.s. I may have old photos of Helene back in Canada. I will send them the next time I go back to Can.