Helen Magdalena Hallahan

Helen Magdalena Hallahan
Helen Magdalena Hallahan, 92, of Butler died Sunday morning at the VNA Inpatient Hospice.
She was born Sept. 4, 1920, in Argentine, Pa., and was a daughter of the late William and Magdalena (Bagrowski) Jarecki.
Helen was a homemaker. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Lyndora, the Ladies Guild of St. John's and was active in her church activities and functions. She was a founding member of the only women's American Legion, the Jean E. Parker Post, in Butler, and then became a member of American Legion Post 778 in Lyndora, she belonged for a total of 65 years combined, had belonged to bowling leagues in Butler, and always gave to various charities.
A veteran of World War II, she served in the Women's Air Corps of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Our mom, grandma and great-grandma was an extraordinary woman. She lived her life in service and devotion to God, family and country. Helen cared for brothers and sisters after their Mother passed at an early age.
After graduating high school in 1939, she entered the Army to serve her country and support her family. After the war ended, Helen married George and raised seven children. Helen attended countless PTA meetings, Little League games, doctor visits and seven high school graduations. She taught us to bowl a turkey, grow a beautiful rose and cook delicious meals.
Helen and George were blessed with seven grandchildren. Grandma was so proud of each of them. She cherished every visit with them, rocking them as babies and playing poker when they were teens. Helen was blessed again with two great-grandchildren. Kathryn and Jacob, you brought so much joy to her. She held you close as babies and learned to Skype so she visit you both.
Helen was an inspiration to many, overcoming struggles and hardships with faith and determination. She always was so proud of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mom, grandma, great-grandma we are so proud of you.
Surviving are her six children, Joyce Hallahan of Pittsburgh, Jean (John) Checket of Florida, David Hallahan of Butler, Maria Jolley of Diamond Head, Miss., James (Mary Beth) Hallahan of Pittsford, N.Y. and Elaine (Clarence) Gilliland of Butler; seven grandchildren, Chris Jolley, Dr. Sarah Jolley, M.D., Patrick (Natalie) Hallahan, Jeremy Hallahan, Jennifer (Joe) Scheivert, Laura (Ross) Roberts, and Anna (Nick) Box; two great-grandchildren, Kathryn Scheivert and Jacob Scheivert; numerous nieces and nephews including, Bob Jarecki and Patricia Dzanis; and two sisters-in-law, Mary Marchuk of Butler and Marge Jarecki of Florida.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George W. Hallahan Sr., who she married April 26, 1947, and who died Jan. 7, 1997; a son, George W. Hallahan Jr., who died in 2003; two brothers, Joseph and Edward; and two sisters, Josephine and Stella.
HALLIHAN - Friends of Helen Magdalena Hallahan, who died Sunday, April 28, 2013, will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today.
Funeral services will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 105 Kohler Ave., Lyndora. The Rev. Leo Schlosser, pastor, will officiate. Internment will follow in Butler County Memorial Park. Parastas services will be at 3 p.m. today at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. John's Ladies Guild, 105 Kohler Ave., Lyndora, PA 16045; the VNA Inpatient Hospice, 115 Technology Drive, Butler, PA 16001 or to the American Legion 778, 150 Legion Memorial Lane, Butler, PA 16001.
Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.