1942 – 2024
It is with profound sadness and sorrow that we announce the passing of Helen Elizabeth (Betty) on August 16, 2024 at the age of 82 at Providence Transitional Care Center in Kingston.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Edward and her sons, Bradley and Adam; also by her grandchildren Abigail, Chloe and Carter; her brother Roy Andrascik (Ruby) and many nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Predeceased by her parents Stefan and Helena (Blasko) Andrascik; brothers Alex Andrascik (a Vancouver police officer and noted Oldtimer hockey player); Steve Andrascik (former professional hockey player - NHL, WHA, AHL, CHL); and Vincent Andrascik (who died at age ten).
Betty was born on April 28, 1942 in Sherridon, a mining town in Manitoba's far north to immigrant Slovak parents. Her father was a hard rock miner. She grew up developing an extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of the north country. Betty's family was involved in one of the most extraordinary population shifts in Canadian domestic history. Virtually all the houses and other buildings were towed 150 miles north in 1952 by caterpillar tractors over frozen territory laden with snow to the new town of Lynn Lake, where a newly found deposits of zinc and copper were to be mined. Betty attended Lynn Lake High School where she earned grades of high distinction. She was also a clarinetist in the high school concert band. She was graduated in 1960. She then attended Manitoba Institute of Technology, taking a secretarial course. In the late 1960's she took courses in English literature at the University of British Columbia.
Betty's work career was wide and variegated. In the early 1960's, she was a stenographer at the Department of Health and Welfare in Winnipeg. In 1963, she moved to Vancouver, B.C. and worked as a secretary and typing pool co-ordinator at B.C. Hydro until 1967. She was married in September 1967. In November 1967, Betty was the secretary for Lord Ritchie-Calder, a well-known British academic, journalist, and politician during his stay in Vancouver. In early 1968 she moved to London, England when her husband undertook his graduate studies at The London School of Economics. From 1968 to 1971 she was secretary to the Sales Manager at Rank Precision Industries in London. On her return to Canada in the fall of 1971, she briefly worked as a secretary in the CBC News Unit in Toronto. Later in 1971 she became secretary to the Sales Manager of Reckitt and Coleman in Toronto. In the fall of 1972, Betty moved to Kingston with her husband when he secured a teaching position at Queens University. She worked for a short period in the City Clerk's Office at Kingston City Hall. From 1972 to 1999 Betty held the positions of secretary, financial clerk, and accountant at the Kingston Office of the Ministry of Community and Social Services.
Possessing a diligent work ethic along with an unwavering compassion and immense knowledge of the duties she undertook in the various positions she held, Betty was a reliable and an astute cornerstone in any organization in which she was involved. Her demeanor was always positive and unflappable.
Betty was a gentle, sensitive soul who endeared herself to those she encountered. Her warmth and affability were qualities that were integral components of her pleasant personality.
Although Betty came from a sports family that emphasized hockey and football, she had a lifelong passion for swimming and ice skating. Above all, Betty had an enthusiastic use of the bicycle – for recreational purposes and local personally powered transportation. She was an ardent follower of the Toronto Blue Jays. Also, she was an unswerving supporter in whatever sport in which her sons were involved – from hockey mom to soccer mom to baseball mom.
Betty was proud of her Slovak heritage. She visited on a number of occasions her relatives who lived in Slovakia's Tatra mountains. The most notable trip occurred in August 1968, when the Warsaw Pact forces invaded Czechoslovakia. She and her husband were trapped in Prague for almost a week before they were permitted to leave the country.
Indeed, an eventful life of a special lady.
In accordance with her wishes, she has been interred at Cataraqui Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at The Robert J. Reid Funeral Home, 309 Johnson Street, Kingston, on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 2:00p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family have requested donations be made to the University Hospital Kingston Foundation (UHKF) in support of Breast Cancer Research / Treatment.
Online book of condolences available at www.ReidFuneralHome.com.
