Helen Delores (Smith) Sowers, 93, of Graceton, PA passed away on October 11, 2021 to dance again with her husband of 53 years, Frank L. Sowers Sr, in heaven. She was the daughter of the late August “Gusty” and Mary (Duritzo) Smith and was born November 14, 1927 in Graceton.
Helen was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Parish. She met her husband, Frank at Diamond Metal Blairsville, PA and later were married to join him while he served in the Air Force during the Korean War. She assembled fuses in hand grenades for the military and waitressed to serve the soldiers. Later, the couple landed in Cleveland, OH where they resided for about 40 years. Helen was employed at American Greetings Card Manufacturing until the birth of her first child. Her most important career was to be THE BEST Wife, mother, and homemaker. After Frank retired from Sherwin Williams Printing Division, the couple moved back to her rural hometown of Graceton to be near family.
Helen was the 3rd eldest of ten children. She was a hardworking, loving, & truly devoted daughter, wife, mother, godmother, aunt, and mom of the family pets. Family was her life and her heart. She loved children and was the mother of the neighborhood. She shared a special bond with her 6 nephews “The D’Aurelio Boys” after the passing of her sister Fran. Everything that she did was done with love, always helping others. She was proud of her healthy lifestyle and Slovak Catholic traditions… gardening, canning, cooking and baking from scratch, sewing, knitting, cleaning, being active outside with sports and wilderness adventures and growing her roses. She was strong, spirited, and always tried to do the right thing. She prayed the rosary, and thanked God for the little blessings in life. She loved to dance (polkas & Jitterbug) and remained physically active through her 80’s.
She is survived by her daughter, Sherry M. Sowers, of Graceton, PA; her son, Frank L. Sowers Jr. and wife, Kimberly, of Henrietta, NY; her sisters, Maryann Angelini, of Homer City and Rosella Prenni and husband, Domenick, of Avonmore, PA. She was also survived by her brother in law, John “Jack” Fetchko, of Josephine, PA; her sister in laws, Mary (Dargay) Smith, of Florida and Phyllis Smith, of Colorado. Countless nieces, nephews, cousins, and their children also survive her.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Irene “Renee” Tacie and husband, Gerald; August “Bud” Smith; George Smith and wife Mary; Joseph “Whitey” Smith and wife, Connie; Elizabeth “Betty” Brida and husband, Bob; and Marcella Fetchko; brother in laws John Angelini; Francis “Franny” D’Aurelio, Louis D’Aurelio and wife, Diane.
Friends will be received Friday from 3-8 PM at the Bowser Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Homer City. A Blessing Service will be held Saturday at 9:30 AM at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, Coral Site. Interment to follow in the Church Cemetery. Everyone is invited to a luncheon that will follow in the Church Hall.
