Ahafia “Helen” Chaykowsky (1924 - 2007)
Ahafia (Helen) Chaykowsky was born in the Ukraine and immigrated to Canada in 1947. She came to a job in North Bay where she met her life partner, Jake, also from the Ukraine. They eventually moved to Vancouver and shortly after travelled the newly opened Alaska Highway to a job in Atlin, British Columbia. Two years later, they purchased a highway lodge [The Pines] at Mile 872 on the Alaska Highway.1)
In 1953, Helen and Jake’s three-year-old daughter was killed in a tragic accident at The Pines. A Loiselle Transport truck hit the little girl when she stood in front of the truck where the driver was unable to see her.2)
The Pines was destroyed by fire in 1962 and the business was rebuilt six miles south to what is today known as Jake's Corner. Helen left behind children Carolyn (Jack) Thompson, Sandy (Robert) Magnuson, Ray (Jienna), and Joanne. After a remarkable life, Helen has gone home to be with her child Christy and late husband, Roman (“Jake”).3)