Helen Marie Kapolka

SCENERY HILL

Helen Marie Kapolka died peacefully July 3, 2024, at the Scenery Hill home she loved and lived in for over 70 years. She was devoted to her faith and a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish. Born near California, Pa., on July 16, 1921, her incredible life of 102 years spanned over five generations. Helen was the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Poland, Jacob and Matilda Warniock Gasher. She was the youngest of 10 children (five brothers and four sisters) and truly enjoyed her youth in California, Pa., even though she witnessed her family suffer through the Great Depression and the chaos of World War II, actually experiencing monumental events that most will only learn about from history. Helen married her beloved husband, Andrew, on Jan. 8, 1945. Her focus then changed to dedicating most of her time to raising a family and making a comfortable home for her spouse. The couple lived in various towns from 1945 to 1952, including Vestaburg and Deemston, Pa., before finding their forever place in Scenery Hill, Pa. Though it took many years to complete, Andrew began building a house for her in 1953. Helen was adamant about the design of the house and used her creative talents to add a special touch that delighted family and friends. While working on her home, Helen’s Catholic faith inspired her to become a member of the former St. Joseph’s Church in nearby Cokeburg, Pa. Her active involvement assured her growing children would embrace and participate in activities sponsored by this beautiful small Catholic Mission Church. Helen accepted the important position of managing the altar boys, making sure they were properly trained to serve Mass and engage in numerous other Catholic events. She was elated to be elected secretary of the Rosary Altar Society, responsible for recording and helping to plan the numerous activities sponsored by this Catholic women’s organization. Helen also loved to lead the Holy Rosary before Sunday Masses. Later in life she was employed and trained by Washington (Pa.) Hospital to be a nurse aide at Washington Manor, a facility designed to care for the elderly. When the Manor closed, although saddened by its discontinuance, she moved to the Washington Hospital to do the same type of compassionate care for the elderly. For recreation, Helen enjoyed being a member of the Senior Mixed Bowling League at Bentleyville Lanes well into her late 90s. She regularly played bingo and made an occasional trip to the local casinos. Sharp till the end, she often was at her weekly family gathering to play the 500 Rum card game. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Andrew; brothers, Stanley Gasher, Frank Gasher, Joseph Gasher, William Gasher and Edward Gasher; sisters, Mary Lesosky, Laura Fedelishak, Frances Gasher and Sophie Gregor; and sons-in-law, Hollis McCrea and Kevin O’Shea. She is survived by sons, Dennis Kapolka (Lorraine) and Jeff Kapolka (Debi); daughters, Andrea McCrea, Candice O’Shea and Vanessa Martin (Ken); grandchildren Dennis, Annamarie, Thomas, John, Heather, Kelly, Kelsey, Michael and Tyler; great-grandchildren, Aaron, Martin, Michael, Rose, Kate, Luke, Ryan, Lucy, Bradley, Kenadee, Ireland, Brooklynn, Kaitlyn, Ellen Marie, Andy and Veronica; great-great-grandchildren, Grace, Waylon, Marty, Michelle and Layla; and many loving nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Dr. Kamlesh Gosai and his competent staff at the Bentleyville and Charleroi SWMC. Helen was a patient and patron of his for many years. Over time Helen developed a familial bonding with Dr. Gosai and his wonderful caring staff always comforted contented after her numerous medical visits. The family is also grateful to ANOVA Hospice for the compassionate home health care Helen received. Thank you Jacquea, Ashley, Audry and Sabrina. Friends will be received from 2 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at GREENLEE’S BENTLEYVILLE FUNERAL HOME, 619 Main St., Bentleyville, Pa. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 11, 2024, with Helen’s grandson, Father Michael Andrew Kapolka as celebrant. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Monongahela, Pa. An online guestbook is available at www. GreenleeFuneralHome.com where you may express personal condolences to the Kapolka family.