Helen Barbara Swenski

Helen Barbara Swenski, 92, of Lily Lake, Wapwallopen, died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2013, at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Helen was born in Wilkes-Barre on Aug. 3, 1921. She was the oldest daughter of the late Joseph and Michaelena Sklarowski Klepadlo.

She attended the former St. Mary's Church of the Maternity "Polish School," Marymount High School, Wilkes-Barre. She terminated her education early to go to work to help support her large family during the Depression.

At a very young age, she learned, through her mother and father, the values of hard work, faithfulness, compassion, loyalty, humility, having fun and loving Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and savior. She grew to become a very caring, loyal and supportive wife and mother.

She did domestic housework for the Gelbs on Market Street, then worked most of her life for the shoe and garment industry, working for Central Slipper, Faith Shoe and other area manufacturers.

Helen was an avid fisherwoman who spent countless hours fishing in the waters of Lily Lake with her sisters-in-law, Stella Stavetski, Edna Morrelli and Josephine Coburn. She was a regular fisher of bass and catfish in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, until the fish commission bought Lily Lake in 1970 and introduced northern pike and muskies, ruining the fishing back then.

In her own way, she served her Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, as a fisher of men. Now her soul is with Him in glory awaiting the end of this world.

She married the late John Bernard Swenski in 1945 at the end of World War II and started raising her family in Wilkes-Barre and at the summer home in Lily Lake. Helen and John enjoyed 66 blessed years together in marriage with life's ups and downs, trials, tribulations and happiness.

John passed on Dec. 16, 2011, at the age of 89. She also lost brothers, John Klepadlo, who died at a very young age; Stanley Klepadlo, 1984; Stephen Klepadlo, 1987; Leo Klepadlo, 1995; and Joseph Klepadlo, 2011.

Surviving are her son, Dr. Richard Swenski, Lily Lake; and one sister, Mary Klepadlo Florio, Plains Township. She will also be missed by her faithful and loving dogs, Charlie and baby Mitzie.

Helen's family gives special thanks to Susan Ashton Werner, M.D.; Mallapa Basavannepa Udoshi, M.D., Ph.D.; and her very special home health giver, Debbie Hoyt, who spent the last three years providing personal care to Helen up until the very end. Special thanks are also given to Steward Smith, John Woytowicz and Dino and Steven Galella, who gave of their time and energy to help in any way possible.

Funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Friday at Jendrzejewski Funeral Home, 21 N. Meade St., Wilkes-Barre, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Hope Parish, 40 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre. The Rev. Richard Ghezzi will serve as celebrant. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Family and friends may call and pay their respects 8 a.m. until time of services Friday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, her son, Rich Swenski, will be accepting cash donations to continue in the restoration and restocking of Lake St. John with fish in Helen's memory.