Helen Marie Sumislawski

AUBURN #< Helen Marie Sumislawski, died peacefully in her sleep Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, and is now in eternal rest with her husband, Joseph, who predeceased her. One of 10 children, Helen was the daughter of Katherine and Joseph Goray. Along with her devoted and loving husband, Joe, they raised five children < sons, Joseph and Judy (Joshua and Katherine), John and Stephanie (Adam and Katelyn), and daughters, Elaine and Keith Betsch, Chris and Trent Mackey (Sam, Jacob, and Julia), and Sue and Bill Geiger (Patrick, Sabra, and Matthew). Helen is survived by two sisters, Frances Vergamini and Lillian Wawrzaszek, and one brother, Stanley. Helen was a lifelong nurse, caring for others even after her retirement from Auburn Memorial Hospital. Helen became an LPN early in her career, and later earned her degree as an RN, while still raising her family, and caring for her husband. It didn#"t matter if she was caring for a sick child, an adult, or the dying, Helen#"s kind and nurturing ways were felt by all whom she touched. Keeping busy in her later years, Helen volunteered in a multitude of ways #< with the Red Cross blood drive, S-K Post Women#"s Auxiliary, organizing casino bus trips, which she enjoyed immensely, and various church activities. Her family is eternally grateful to the loving staff at Finger Lakes Center for Living who cared for her in the last four years of her life. Calling hours are 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22, at Heieck-Pelc Funeral Home, 42 E. Genesee St. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 23, in St. Mary"s Church, Clark Street, and burial is at St. Joseph#"s Cemetery. Donations may be made in Helen#"s memory to Finger Lakes Center for Living < Recreation Dept., 20 Park Ave. Auburn, NY 13021. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.