Helen Pohozoff of Yorkton, and formerly of Canora, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on September 30, 2016 at the Canora Hospital at the age of 87 years. Helen was born at the family farm north-east of Canora, SK in the Phoenix School District on October 6, 1928 to George and Helen (Hancheroff) Popoff. Sadly, her mother died when Helen was two years of age. Her father, George, remarried Mabel Salikan. She and older sister Pauline were joined by half-brother Russell. Helen attended Phoenix school near Canora. Helen and the family moved to Toronto in 1940. The young Helen worked at a Campbell's soup factory, a can factory and at Woolworths. At the age of seventeen, Helen and her sister returned to Canora area to prepare for Pauline's wedding. Helen's parents returned soon after. In July 1947, Helen married Bill Holoboff of Tiny and became a farm wife on their farm west of Tiny. Bill and Helen had two daughters, Sarah and Linda and a son, Wayne. Bill and Helen built a new home in Canora in 1964. A year later, Bill died. Helen married Paul Pohozoff on December 1, 1966 and they were married for forty years. Helen worked in various stores including Steven's Jewelry, Mary's Clothing and Fabric Store, the Co-op Clothing Store and lastly, the Canora IGA. Helen was active in the Canora and surrounding communities as her and Paul loved to travel and socialize. Square dancing was a favourite of theirs. Helen was also involved with the Eastern Star, the Keen Age Centre, the Hospital and Nursing Home Auxiliaries, the United Church Board and the UCW in Canora. Through the later parts of their lives, Paul and Helen travelled to Yuma, AZ to spend their winters. They enjoyed it when their children visited there. Through her life Helen also travelled through Canada, to Cuba, the USSR, England, Mexico and many parts of the USA. Helen valued her opportunities to travel and to have met so many good friends along the way. In 1997, Paul and Helen sold the house in Canora and moved into Yorkton eventually moving into their condo at Erichsen Place. In 2006, Paul passed away. Two years later Helen moved into the Bentley and once again made new friends where John Stricker became her special friend. She enjoyed the visiting, card games and tile rummy. She lived here until her illness forced her to hospital. Helen found pride and comfort from her children and grandchildren. She recounted her very fond memories of the visits and happy times with them. She was tickled pink that her first great-grandchild was born on her birthday. Helen was predeceased by her parents, Helen and George, her step-mother, Mabel, her two husbands Bill Holoboff and Paul Pohozoff, her sister Pauline Derhousoff and her half-brother Dr. Russell Popoff. Helen will remain in the hearts of her daughters Sarah (Herb) Carlson and Linda (Maurice) Belliveau, her son Wayne (Deborah) Holoboff, her grandchildren Leif (Brenda) Carlson, AnnaMarie (Stephen) Bohrson, Jeffrey Belliveau and Janessa Belliveau, her great-grandchildren Lilaina, Miles and Paige as well as her nieces, nephews, cousins, sister-in-law Gwen Popoff and the many friends that she made throughout her life. A Celebration of Life Service was held on Saturday, October 8, 2016 at 1:00 pm from the Chapel of Leson's Funeral Home, Canora with Rev. Carlyle Johnson officiating. Interment followed in the Canora Cemetery. Those wishing to make expressions of sympathy may make donations to the Canora Hospital Auxiliary or to a Charity of Donor's Choice as tokens of remembrance, in memory of Helen Pohozoff. Family and friends unable to attend may sign an on-line guest book for Helen at . Arrangements were entrusted to LESON'S FUNERAL HOME, Canora.
