Helen P. Szlachetka

"Holyoke, Helen P. (Rapacki) Szlachetka, 96, died on Thursday, April 14 at Geriatric Authority of Holyoke. Born in Holyoke on November 5, 1914 she was the daughter of Henry and Helen Rapaki. She resided in South Hadley for most of her life before moving back to Holyoke in 2005. She was a communicant of St. Theresa's Church. Helen was a proud homemaker and enjoyed her vacations to Hawaii, California and visiting her son Ted in Florida. In later years she worked at Yankee Peddler Inn and Mount Holyoke College. She will be sadly missed by her son Thaddeus and his partner, Darlene of St. Petersburg, FL., her grandsons Gary and Darrell of CT. Her husband, Thaddeus predeceased her in 1969 and a sister, Albina Pope. A funeral service will be on Tuesday, April 19 at 11:00 a.m. at Beers and Story South Hadley Funeral Home, 646 Newton St. Burial will follow in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery. A calling hour from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. will precede the service. Donations in her memory may be made to Geriatric Authority of Holyoke, 45 Lower Westfield Rd., Holyoke, MA 01040. "