HELEN A. SMOLA

HADLEY, Helen A. (Marhelewicz) Smola, formerly of Three Rivers, died on December 19, at Hadley at Elaine Care andRehab Center in Hadley. Born in Three Rivers on January 18, 1912, she was the daughter of Ludwik and Antonia (Labuz) Marhelewicz. She graduated from SS Peter and Paul Grammar School and Palmer High School, Class of 1930. Helen was a communicant of SS Peter and Paul Parish in Three Rivers and for the last five years of Most Holy Redeemer Parish in Hadley.

Although she would consider herself to be primarily a homemaker, she worked for many years in retail positions. Before her marriage in 1939 she owned and operated Helen’s Variety on Main St. in Three Rivers until the store was destroyed during the flood of 1938. Later, in the 60’s, she clerked at Niles Package Store. She also served as bookkeeper for her husband’s trucking business and for a time in the 50’s was the local correspondent for the Palmer Journal. She served as her husband’s primary care giver for many years during his final illness.

Helen is survived by her son, Dr. Edward Smola and his wife Joan of Hadley, four grandchildren, Att. Susan Smola of Wilmington, Delaware, AnneMarie Rheault of Somers, CT, Dr. Catherine Pienkos and her husband Bob of Oologah, OK and James Smola and his wife Christie of Three Rivers; five great grandchildren: Helena, Jackson and Broderick Rheault and Mary and Rose Pienkos. She is also survived by numerous nephews, nieces and godchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Edward Smola, and her brothers Joseph, Chester and Edward, and sisters Mary, Bernice, Julie and Catherine Marhelewicz and Stella Piechota; and her dear friend, Kasia.

Her family will always be grateful to the caring staff at the Hadley Unit of Hadley at Elaine where she was in residence for the last few years and to the Staff of SolAmor Hospice and also to the Eucharistic Ministers of Most Holy Redeemer Parish who have ministered to her during this time.

A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 11:30 a.m. in Most Holy Redeemer Church, Hadley. Burial will follow in SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Bondsville. A calling hour will precede services from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.  

Donations in her memory may be made to EWTN, 5817 Old Leeds Rd., Irondale, AL 35210, Most Holy Redeemer Parish, PO Box 375, Hadley, MA 01035 or Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, PO Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.