Helen Kritz, 78, Wonderful Mother and Grandmother

Helen was born in Bogumilowice, Poland on January 23, 1944, and migrated to the United States with her family in 1949.

She was a 1962 graduate of Admiral King High School and a member of the school’s first graduating class. Helen had been employed as a clerk in the Title and Passport Office of the Lorain County Clerk of Courts for ten years prior to her retirement.

She was a parishioner of Nativity BVM Catholic Church in Lorain and had formerly attended both St. Stanislaus Catholic Church as well as St. Vincent de Paul.

Helen met Charlie when she was just six years old and married at nineteen. As a young couple, Helen and Charlie loved to go dancing together. They particularly enjoyed jitterbug, waltz, slow dance, and polka. Playing cards with friends and long walks on the beach were activities they enjoyed together. In Helen’s last years, Charlie took extraordinary care of his wife.

Undeniably, Helen’s favorite pastime was serving as the devoted matriarch of her family. Helen enjoyed making many varieties of pierogies - family favorites were blueberry and cherry. She regularly cooked very large meals for her ever-expanding family. In the process, she cultivated and instilled immeasurable family closeness and values. A competitive game player, she passed along this rivalrous spirit to her kids. Her children are eternally thankful for their mother’s model of love, time, and devotion.

She was an energetic, fun, dedicated, and spunky grandmother who always brought joy, laughter, and fascination to her grandchildren. She loved to share and teach her painting, gardening, and sewing skills to the next generation. Helen was extremely proud of her Polish heritage and was grateful to have had the opportunity to share her experiences of growing up in Poland during World War II with her grandchildren’s classmates during guest lectures at their schools.

Helen was an amazing friend to all who knew her. She always prioritized their needs and made them the center of her focus. All could count on her in times of challenge. She was a member of the Mad Hatters Social Club.

Helen was a skilled seamstress. She made clothing for herself, her younger children, and even a “leisure suit” for her husband. She designed draperies and made any repairs that could be done with a needle and thread. Helen, of course, made wardrobes for her grandchildren’s dolls.

Helen worked long hours in her garden ensuring her flowers were well-tended and there was not a weed in sight. Helen enjoyed sharing all her new blooms with her many friends, neighbors, and of course, her family by giving tours of her backyard.

Helen’s artistic skills extended to watercolor painting. She created many masterpieces of floral arrangements and landscapes which are admiringly displayed in many loved ones’ homes.

Helen loved vacationing to the beach, traveling to visit her children and grandchildren, as well as reconnecting with extended family during her four trips back to Poland.

She found solace, beauty, and peace in the Lakeview sunsets. She regularly visited this special location to gather her thoughts and enjoy God’s beauty. The family is grateful to have this spot to continue to remain close to their wife, mom, and grandmother.

Helen is survived by her husband of fifty-eight years Charles, sons David (Beth) of Cincinnati, and Edward (Angela) of Amelia, and daughters Catherine Kachure (Andy) of Amherst and Stefanie Brannan (Lane) of Aurora, Colorado.

Additional survivors include grandchildren Alex, Anthony, Dylan, Hailey, Ava, Madeline, Alaina, Etta, Amelia, and Olivia, as well as sister Lottie Gurnack of Lorain, and brothers George Iwanek (Beverly) of South Amherst and Stanley Iwanek of Naples, Florida.

Helen was preceded in death by her father Antoni Iwanek and mother Marie Iwanek (nee Solak).

The Kritz Family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at the Hospice of the Western Reserve for the support they provided, holding particular fondness for the compassionate and skilled aide, Lisa. Also, a special note of acknowledgement to the loving efforts of home caregivers Marlee and Jaime.

Friends may call Thursday from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain Funeral services will be Friday beginning with closing prayers offered in the funeral chapel at 10:15 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. in Nativity BVM Catholic Church – 1454 Lexington Avenue, Lorain. Reverend Craig M. Hovanec, Parish Administrator will officiate. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

The family encourages consideration of any donations to either the Cleveland Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Foundation – P.O. Box 74924, Cleveland, OH 44194-4924, the Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192, or to any local organization that provides for the needs of the underprivileged.

To share your memories and condolences with Helen’s family, please visit www.gluvna.net.