Helen Anita (Pozzi) Yanota

Helen Anita Yanota (Pozzi) of Blairmore, Alberta passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 21st, 2018 at the age of 93. Helen was born on August 26th, 1924 in Blairmore, Alberta. As a young woman, she enjoyed hiking, figure skating, playing tennis, singing with the church choir and spending time with friends. Helen dedicated her life to her home and her family. She loved family gatherings, good food and wine, laughing, singing, reading, taking drives in the mountains with her husband, road trips to Kalispell, Missoula, Kimberley and Wasa. She is deeply loved and will be greatly missed. 

After working at the Royal Bank of Canada, Helen decided she wanted to pursue a career. She attended the Garbutt Business College in Calgary where she completed courses in typing, filing, shorthand and accounting. With her detailed and poised manner, Helen was asked to stay on in a secretarial position at the Garbutt Business College. She later returned to the Crowsnest Pass and was quickly hired for a position with Coleman Collieries. During a St. Patrick’s Day event at the Catholic Church, Helen met John Yanota. John was a well-known RCAF navigator aviator in WW II. In April 1948, they married. It was well known that John loved and adored Helen throughout their 63 years of marriage. Together they created a warm and loving home for their seven children to whom she remained devoted to. She was an active member of the Canadian Royal Purple and the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) of Canada.

Helen was the beloved mother of Elinor (Bob) Perreault, Tom (Bettie) Yanota, Michael (Brenda) Yanota, MaryAnne (Mike) Hudson, Jay Yanota, Peter (Sandy) Yanota and Gordon (Nichole) Yanota; cherished grandmother to Jason (Bente), Amy (Alvaro), Julie (Eric), Michael Jr. (Jinaye), Kimberly (Kayne), Scott, Karmen (Jason), Chad, Brennan (Chelsey), Alison and Erin; great grandmother to Josephine, Anneliese, Lily, Laura, Caleb and Hartley; and sister of Mary Catonio. Helen was predeceased by her husband John in March 2011.

We have been eternally blessed to have had such a strong, caring and loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great-grandmother. We cherish the many wonderful memories and the journey we have shared together. 

Special thanks to the amazing care givers at York Creek Lodge and the Long Term Care Unit at the Crowsnest Pass Hospital for their compassion, dedication and loving care of Mom over the past six years. 

The Memorial Mass will be held at the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church (13126, 21 Ave., Blairmore, AB) on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 11:00 am with Fr. Ben Marino as Celebrant.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations will be gratefully accepted by the Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Parish “Building Fund” (PO Box 1410, Blairmore, AB T0K 0E0), or the CNP Health Foundation “Continuing Care” (PO Box 455, Bliarmore, AB T0K 0E0).  Condolences may be registered at www.fantinsfuneralchapel.ca.

Fantin’s Funeral Chapel entrusted with the arrangements.  (403) 562-8555

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