Helen Katherine Mamrak Archacki, a life-long resident of Cambridge Springs, passed away peacefully on October 25th, 2013 after successfully outliving Alzheimer’s since 2001. She was born in Braddock, PA on September 19, 1918 as the daughter of the late Elmer and Anna Demko Mamrak.
Helen was a 1936 graduate of Cambridge Springs High School. Upon graduation, Helen was employed for several summer seasons as a maid at the Riverside Inn. Her later employment, after many years as a devoted housewife and mother, was the main cook for 20 years for the sixty residents at the former San Rosario Nursing Home from 1963 to 1983. Besides being a loving mother, Helen was an active member and prominent citizen of the Cambridge Springs community. She was a devout member of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church her entire life and epitomized service to God and family. For decades, she tirelessly ironed all of the alter linens, cleaned the church, and helped continue the storied tradition of St. Anthony’s Ladies Aid Society. In addition, during her later years, she served as a weekly lector at Sunday mass. Helen’s central daily focus of living throughout her entire life was the unconditional love, support, and enjoyment of her parents, husband, children, grand-children, great-grandchildren, and her “house on the hill.”
Additionally, Helen was involved for years in several community and social organizations in Cambridge Springs: the Gam-Sac-Mah Women’s Service Club, Naphtha Dance Club, and the Beverly Home Auxiliary. Her hobbies, personal and religious interests included flower gardening, sewing, fresh garden vegetable canning, strawberry jam making, monthly 500 card playing, golfing and dancing with her husband, reading, baking, and daily rosary devotion. Many hold fond memories of Helen’s delicious home-made fruit pies provided for the Cambridge Spring’s Firemen’s Festival for decades for the “pie tent.”
On July 18, 1942, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, Helen married Carl Frank Archacki, who preceded her in death on December 27, 2003, after 61 years of marriage. She is survived by three daughters – Marcia Rice and her husband, Bob, of Mansfield, Ohio; Linda McElhinny and her husband, George of Cambridge Springs; Betty “B”?Kondzielski and her husband, Donald of Richmond, Virginia; and a son – Carl Leonard Archacki, of Richmond, Virginia; three grandsons – Patrick McElhinny and his wife, Michelle of Cambridge Springs; Ryan McElhinny and his wife, Maria of Boardman, Ohio; and Roland Deuschle and his wife, Sabrina of Spring Lake, North Carolina; a granddaughter – Reneta Music of Shelby, Ohio; seven great-grandchildren; Michael and Alexander McElhinny of Cambridge Springs, Tyler and Trinity Potts of Shelby, Ohio, and Christina, Bethany, and Abigail Deuschle of Spring Lake, North Carolina; a brother – Ralph Mamrak and his wife, Joan of Darby, Florida; and a sister – Anna Novak and her husband, Bernard of Linden, New Jersey; plus many nieces and nephews and their families. Two brothers preceded Helen in death – Elmer Mamrak of Edinboro, Pennsylvania in September of 2008 and Joseph Mamrak of St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania in December of 2008.
Friends and family are invited to pay their respects to Helen at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 335 Venango Avenue, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403, on Monday, October 28th from 2 to 4 and 7- to 9 p.m. Vigil prayer services will be held Monday evening at 8:30 p.m. On Tuesday morning, October 29th, all are invited to a Catholic prayer service at 9:15 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church with the Rev. David L. Poulson presiding. Christian Burial will follow at St. James Catholic Cemetery in Crossingville, PA. Following burial, all are invited to return for a luncheon celebrating Helen’s life at St. Anthony’s Parish Hall in Cambridge Springs.
Memorials may be made to St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church,165 Beach Avenue, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403 or the Cambridge Springs Public Library, 158 McClellan Street, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403.
Tears stream down my face reading all of these lovely tributes about my precious mother. I know that’s o.k. and will always be o.k., as these tears are not of remorse, guilt, or even one, ” but if only,” but tears of great fondness, love, and intimacy that I shared with Mom my entire life, for all of my 56 years. I was the luckiest son in the world!! Thank you everyone for your support.
Carl
Carl and family –
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Carol
Dear Marcia,
Thinking of you and your family.
Krystal Hamilton and family in Mansfield
Carl,
Our deepest condolences to you Carl, and to your family in the loss of your mother. May fond memories bring you peace and comfort at this very difficult time.
With Sympathy,
Brian
The Staff at Advance Lawn Sprinklers & Landscaping
Dear Carl,
Our dearest sympathy in the loss of your beautiful mother, Helen. Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure to hear the wonderful stories of your mother and share in the road with you……I still love to see her pictures on your desk. You are in our hearts, on our minds and in our prayers. Know that the homefront in Richmond is being taken care of and to take all the time you need with your family.
We love you,
Auriel, Will & Drew
My Dear Carl,
I am sorry to hear of your mother passing. As I think of her and that beautiful smile, I am reminded of your stories of your mother and how much you both loved each other. Although, her physical presence is not with us… her spirit will forever be.
Please remember that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I send lots of love and blessings,
Marie
Carl,
We are very sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Although we did not get a chance to meet her in person, we both felt like we knew her through all the wonderful stories and pictures you shared with us. We will be praying for you and your family during this time of bereavement.
God Bless,
Angela and Joshua Dart
Dear Carl,
We were so sad to hear of your Mother’s death–we feel as though we knew her personally through you. And we prayed for her over the past seven years during those tough times in her life which we knew through you. You know she’s home now and just waiting for all of us. Of course, you will forever miss her as we all miss our Mothers so much. But know that our prayers are with you.
Love,
Leslie & Andy
Dear Carl & Family –
Although we never formally met your beloved mother, Helen, we feel like we have gotten to know her through Carl’s stories and emails about her. She was such a devoted mother and friend to so many. The world was a better place because of her and all those that knew of her will greatly miss her. Heaven has received an amazing treasure by her arrival! We will keep your beloved Helen and your entire family in our thoughts and prayers! May God continue to bless you all!
With love,
Beth & Michael Siewers
Carl I’m so sorry to hear about Dear Helen. You were a devoted son that any Mother would be proud to have had the honor to love. You and your family are all in my prayers.
Sincere condolences on Helen’s passing.she started her new journey to be God and may God rest her soul in peace. Bless Carl for being a wonderful son to her and give him the strength to bear her loss.
neil Gulati
To All Members of the Archacki Family:
As I write this note I am looking at a picture of Helen and Carl Frank on my living room table. She has the most beautiful smile. There are other pics I have of Helen since I was priviledged to know her when she visited Richmond, Va. and when I visited her in Cambridge Springs both at Christmas and in the summers. i remember her mashed potatoes and gawumpkies and the two of us sitting on her porch swing. I will always remember Helen’s kindness to me.
The Archacki Family has been blessed with having Helen
Dear Carl & family,
I Was privileged to get to know Helen later in her life. She always welcomed me graciously and blessed me with her love of God and her positive outlook on her life.
Whenever I sit on a porch swing, I will remember her talking of her favorite pastime of “porch sitting”. She was unable to be an active participant in life but her mind was keen and she continued to be an observer and had amazing insights into the world around her.
May God comfort you at this difficult time!
Carl and family –
So sad to hear about Helen’s passing. She has been and will continue to be a blessing to all who knew her even only through your eyes. She will forever be alive in your memories.
Love and hugs,
Natalee
Dear Carl
I was sad to hear of your mothers passing. It is difficult to loose a parent. You were blessed to have her with you for so many years.
Please know that you and your mother are in our prayers.
Carlisle and Linda Bannister
Carl, B, Don and family: I am so sorry about your loss of Helen. I never met her yet felt like I knew her from Carl talking about her or writing about her. ” Love” is the word I think of when I think of Helen. I know Helen and very loving and was loved very much. Hope you all feel surrounded by love and joy as you celebrate her life! Will continue to keep you in my prayers. Anne sends her love also.
B & family,
Please know that you are in my thoughts & prayers at this time.
May God wrap you in his loving arms & give you the comfort & support that you all need at this time.
I had the privilege of taking care if Helen. She was a beautiful woman with a more beautiful soul and she will greatly be missed!