With heavy hearts we announce that Helen E. Kakuk (nee) Pawloski passed away peacefully in her home in Temecula, California, surrounded by her three children on March 23, 2026.  She was born in Vita Manitoba, Canada on August 31, 1938.  She was the second youngest sibling of ten children.  She grew up on a farm in Planky Plains, before the family moved to Winnipeg.

After graduating nursing school, she and her best friend headed west and found themselves in Hollywood, California.  She quickly joined the 50/50 Catholic singles club where she met her future husband, Steve Kakuk.  They were married on May 25, 1963 in Winnipeg, and settled in Downey, California where they raised their three children.

She worked as an OR nurse for the majority of her nursing career.  An active member of The Women’s Guild at Our Lady Perpetual Help, she also enjoyed hosting home retail socials.  Helen loved to be surrounded by family and friends and hosted numerous parties; her motto being “the more the merrier”.  Her perogies were legendary.

Amongst her fruit trees and wide variety of plants, no matter where she lived, there was always a vibrant rose garden.

Helen is survived by her three children, Cathie (Mark), Steven, and Kristina (Bob).  She is pre-deceased in death by her husband of 51 years Steve Kakuk (2014) and all her siblings except for her younger brother Peter Pawloski.  Helen was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and aunt.  She was “Nani” to eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren, who always brought a smile to her face and joy to her days.

She was a devout Catholic all her life and found great comfort in praying the Rosary.  Her prayerful, loving presence and unconditional love will be dearly missed.