Helen Szarvas

Helen Szarvas, age 81, of King of Prussia, Pa., passed away peacefully on February 1, 2014 at Sunrise of Lafayette Hill, after a long and courageous battle with breast cancer. Mrs. Szarvas was born in Hungary, the daughter of the late Istvan Gar and the late Ilona Gyongyi, who also had two sons that preceded Helen in death. She was married to the late Joseph Szarvas, a well known auto mechanic, whom Helen worked with for many years as a bookkeeper. Helen and Joe fled their homeland in 1957 following the failed Hungarian revolution during which they were proud participants. Mr. Szarvas passed away in 1993. Mrs. Szarvas was a high school graduate and was very proficient as a seamstress making fine men's suits. Helen and her husband were founding members of Club Magyar Tanya, an outdoor, sporting and entertainment facility that promotes activities designed to preserve the Hungarian Heritage. They spent a lot of time and resources at the club where she enjoyed teaching Hungarian dance and music to the next generation from the Club's founding in 1961 through the 1980's. She had several varied hobbies, from skiing and camping to growing prize winning orchids. She also loved animals especially german shepherds, and fittingly, having breast cancer, her favorite color was pink.

Relatives and friends are invited to Helen's Funeral Mass on Friday, February 7, 2014, 10 a.m., at Mother of Divine Providence Church, 333 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa., 19406 where they may call from 9 a.m. until 9:50 a.m. There will also be a viewing on Thursday Evening at The Bernard S. Gutkowski Funeral Home, 305 Jefferson Street, Swedesburg, Pa., 19405 from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Interment will be in Valley Forge Memorial Gardens next to her husband. Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX, 75244. www.gutkowskifuneralhome.com