Helena Khayat Finka

Helena Khayat Finka, age 90, died on February 4, 2017 at her home in Wadsworth, IL surrounded by family. Helena was born on September 17, 1926 in Orszczow, Poland to Karol and Maria (Knapcyk) Orawiec. She was the second of five children; Karol, Eugene, Michalina and Mary. In her youth, she helped her family build one of the wealthiest farms in their community with rich orchards, vast wheat fields and lots of healthy farm animals. At age 13, her family was taken by force to Sredmiozichna Rehabilitation Camp in Northern Siberia, where she spent 18 months in captivity. In 1942, she fled the prison camp with her family to Jerusalem, via Latvia, Uzbekistan and Iran. She married Rev. Michael Christian Khayat in 1947. They traveled to Zion, IL in 1951 to begin a new life in America for themselves and their family, via Jordan and England. She was a lifelong parishioner of Christian Catholic Church and an active member in the community. Highly successful in real estate and home construction for more than 40 years, Helena was an immigrant who became a self-made millionaire. After being married to Michael for 25 years, she married Stanley Finka in 1975. She is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Stanley; 6 children; Jeanette Donahue, Miranda Reeder, Christian Khayat, Mary Bennett, Lenny Khayat, Mark Khayat and their spouses, 14 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 2 sisters. She was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren, James Michael Khayat and Marshall Michael Khayat; her parents; and 2 brothers. From her birth to her death, she was industrious, determined and always strived to lead by example. Helena was an incredibly courageous woman with a loving and generous heart; the bedrock of her family and a faith in our Lord who is the envy to us all. A visitation will be held Monday, February 13, 2017 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Dr., Zion, IL. Interment will be private for the family at Ascension Cemetery, Libertyville, IL.