Helen Nieckoski Bamberger

Helen Nieckoski Bamberger Deerfield Helen Nieckoski Bamberger, nee Elsina Nieckoski, died Thursday, February 8, 2007, in her home. She was born 07 July 1909 in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and grew up in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Her parents, Joseph Carl Nieckoski and Blanche Supienska Nieckoski (nee Bronislava) emigrated from Poland, when it was a part of Russia, in the late 1800s and settled in Deerfield, Massachusetts. Helen graduated from the Wapping School, which is now preserved as part of the Historic Deerfield and Deerfield Academy. To support the war effort, Helen Nieckoski enlisted in the Waves of the United States Navy and served from 14 October 1943 until 28 April 1948. On 26 February 1947 she was attained the rank of chief yeoman. She was stationed at the Philadelphia Naval Base. She received the World War II Victory Medal in the American Theatre. Helen met John Alexander Bamberger when he was in the U.S. Army while he attended Hahneman Medical College in Philadelphia. They married 31 August 1946 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Helen is survived by her husband, Dr. John Alexander Bamberger of Lebanon; her daughter Judith Ann Bamberger and husband Bruce Alan Napier of Richland, Washington; her granddaughter Alexandra Bamberger Napier and husband Jason Daniel Laurence of Desert Hot Springs, California; and her grandson Jonathan Bamberger Napier of Richland, Washington; and four nephews, Dr. Edward F. Danielski and descendents of Cooperstown, New York, and in Massachusetts, Charles E. Danielski and descendents, of Shelburn Falls, Joseph Carl Nickoski of Turners Falls, and Stephen Nickoski of Ashfield. Helen was preceded in death by her parents and her older sister Jennie Danielski (nee Genefeffa Nieckoski) of Greenfield, Massachusetts; her brothers Joseph Carl Nickoski Jr. of Canton, Massachusetts, and Dr. Julian Nieckoski of Greenfield, Massachusetts. Helen was an avid sports enthusiast and master of tennis, skiing, and a lifelong proponent of the benefits of exercise and healthy living. For their 50th wedding anniversary she and her husband rafted the Salmon "River of No Return" through Idaho with their family and grandchildren. A return trip followed - five years later when she mastered kayaking. She was also an avid antique collector and bridge and crossword puzzle enthusiast. Her memorial service will be held Saturday, February 10, 2007, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Church, 2 North Eighth St., Lebanon, Pennsylvania, with visitation at 10 a.m. Internment will be at Indiantown Gap Military Reserve National Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Helen Bamberger's name may be made to the Lebanon Community Library, 125 North Seventh St., Lebanon, PA 17046 www.lclibs.org/lebanon. Memories may be sent to bambergerj@asme.org. Rohland Funeral Home Inc., Lebanon, is in charge of arrangements.