Helen passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 6, 2014 with her family by her side at age 89 years of age. She was born in Weyburn, at the Waverly Hotel, to Mary Katherine and John Henry Benning, the youngest of seven children. They lived in Tribune for Helen's early years then moved to a farm 12 miles south of Weyburn where Helen spent the rest of her childhood, playing and laughing and riding her horse to Ingleford school. She attended the Weyburn Collegiate for high school, then furthered her education at the Regina Normal College for a teaching diploma. Helen was a teacher at Brokenshell School by Trossachs, Waverly School by Yellow Grass and Muckamore school near Weyburn, all before she was married. On July 31, 1948 Helen married the love of her life, John Stanley Kot. The newlyweds moved to a farm at Griffin where they laughed and loved and eventually raised 11 children, numerous cats, cows, horses and dogs. While growing her family, our mother also grew very very large gardens, and taught us how to can pickles, tomatoes, and everything in between! Mom made the best sauerkraut ever! She helped her husband to raise oodles of turkeys and chickens and spent many Saturdays delivering eggs to her customers. Mom also was kept busy with sewing clothes for her children and later, her grandchildren. She was happy to teach all of her daughters how to play the piano, and made sure we practised! Mom belonged to the Griffin Northside Ladies Birthday Club. She thoroughly enjoyed these tea parties with her neighbors and always looked forward to hosting or attending! In 1967 Mom taught school at Forget and later was a substitute teacher at Griffin School. During this time she also furthered her education with university classes to obtain her teacher's certificate. Mom was also involved in the Griffin Catholic Church. She played the organ during mass with great enthusiasm and was the first president of the Catholic Women's League at Griffin, in 1950. Our Dad and Mom were both very active in fundraising for the new church at Griffin, Infant Jesus of Prague, organizing and helping with bingos and fowl suppers. She later became involved with the St. Vincent de Paul Church when she moved to Weyburn in 1994. There she enjoyed volunteering, especially by taking communion to the sick in the hospital. Mom strongly believed in the power of the Holy Rosary, and she taught and encouraged her family to pray it. Our mother was a devoted woman of God, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was a school teacher, farm wife, an entrepreneur, an active CWL member and our greatest mentor. We will miss our Mother's bright red lipstick, colorful nail polish, and fancy scarves! But most of all we will miss her beautiful face, her laughter, her hugs and handshakes. Helen was predeceased by her beloved husband John S. Kot (1984) and her oldest dear son George (2010). She will be missed by her ten children: daughter Brenda (Ernie) Womack, children Kyla (Lyle)-Luke and Leah Fornwald; John (Cheryl)-Justin, Chelby, Andrew; Christopher (Jena)-Ethan; Mathew (Angie)-Audrey; son John (Twyla) Kot, children Justin (Kristen)-Jaxson, Chantel, Addyson, and Weston; Joshua (Michelle)-Wyatt and Jacey; Jaclyn (Tanner); son Sheridan (Ronda) Kot, child Mathew (Kathy)-Faith Mills; daughter Pam (Richard) Steneker, children Sean, Meryll, and Rhys Cunnin; daughter Cindy (Frank) Harvey, children Adam (Pam), Jason and Jillian; son Claire Kot; daughter Mary Lynne (Sherwin) Birrell, children Nathan (Kelsie)-Eoin, Breanna (Chris) Butler, Keegan (Lyn); son Robin Kot; daughter Candice (John) van Staveren, children Helyn, Willem, Winston and Marissa; son Blaise (Loretta) Kot, children Kyle, Austin, Madison and Jada. Prayers for Helen were held on Thursday, July 10 at 7:00 pm at St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic Church, Weyburn. On Friday, July 11 at 10:00 am, a mass of Christian burial was held at St. Vincent Church, with Father Gerry Bauche, celebrant. Donations can be made in memory of Helen to the Weyburn & District Hospital Foundation, Box 1416, Weyburn, SK, S4H 3J9. Arrangements were entrusted to RD Family Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, Weyburn (848-0333, 1-888-848-0333). Expressions of sympathy to the family may be sent to our website at www.rdfamilymemorialchapel.com. "Our family serving your family"
