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Life story
May 22, 1923
 
Helen was born on May 22, 1923
2009
 
2009
 
Our Mother, Helen, was a former State Vice President and National Director for the Polish Union of America, where she also helped organize social events, including: banquets for the "Mazowsze" song and dance troupe from Poland; and the, then, Cardinal from Poland: Karol Wojtyła (Blessed Pope John Paul II). Helen was so delighted when she had the chance to speak to Him privately, both in Polish and in English.
Helen was a classy lady, always well dressed. People always noticed her because of her style (and her big hair!).
She liked to dance the Polka, and was a memeber of the Polka Boosters Club.
She liked to travel, took a lot of cruises, but her favorite place was Las Vegas, where she liked to play the slots.
In recent years, when she was no longer able to travel, she frequented the casinos in Niagara Falls.
One of her favorite trips was to Austria: Inspired by her love of Strauss waltzes and Andre Rieu concerts, we took a Musical tour where she attended numerous concerts, including one at the Muzikverein in Vienna, and a Mozart opera in Salzburg.
Helen's last major trip was to Poland, where she got to see the famous painting of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the Black Madonna. Her favorite religious song was about that miraculous portrait, Czarna Madonna.
Throughout her life, Helen was very active, she was even involved in a bowling league.
But, she always took the time to care for others. She was always the one who drove eveyone everywhere; she was always the one who took care of family when they were ill. In her final years, during her own illness, she even cared for herself. Of course, there were a few "angels" who were there for her, and we thank them.
As a Mother, Helen was typical: She was always right !! And, to the end, her adult children, Diane & Ron, still asked for her advice on many issues.
It was great, then, that her children were with her in her final days, her final moments.
December 28, 2009
 
Passed away on December 28, 2009.


Guest Book :
http://www.legacy.com/guestbook/buffalonews/guestbook.aspx?n=helen-ruszczyk&pid=138001575
December 31, 2009
 
THE PIE

The funeral parlor was crowded with family and friends who braved the snow storm on New Year’s day to say farewell to my Mother. As my brother, sister-in-law, and I navigated the crowd, in walked a very attractive woman about my age.   “You don’t know who I am, do you?” she asked.

It was a childhood friend of mine, whom I hadn’t seen since high school. She said that my Mother was someone she admired. Coincidentally, she had spoken of her in a lecture to her Sociology class just weeks before. She was discussing people who influence our lives.

The story she told dated back to when we were children. It was before Thanksgiving, my Mother had baked some pies, and placed them on the stairs to cool. My friend and I were running up and down the stairs, and she accidentally stepped in one of the pies.

She said there was not even a hint of anger on my Mother’s face. That was something my friend always remembered when raising her own children. Whenever mishaps would occur, she would remind herself:  It’s only a Pie.