Helen T Boniewski

Helen T. Boniewski, 93, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on April 17 at the Joan Nicole Prince Home in Scotia, NY after a brief illness surrounded by her family.

Helen was born in Poland and was taken from her family during World War II at the age of 17 as forced farm labor in Germany for five years. For this, she was paid 5 marks per week, which was also the fine she paid for attending Mass on Sunday. After the war, she worked for the Red Cross in Germany for a year until coming to the US, where she resided with her uncle's family in Cohoes. In 1949, Helen married Stephen J. Boniewski, and they raised their family in Scotia. Helen was a woman of great strength and courage and was known for her sweet smile, humor and love of family. She loved to dance and enjoyed going to the Polish dances with her husband and friends. Famous for her pierogies, Helen was happiest when her family were all with her. A homemaker, she also loved her flower and vegetable gardens. She spent many hours canning fruit and vegetables from her garden. From early spring through late fall, there were always flowers on the table from her garden or the wildflowers that grew nearby.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1987; and is survived by Chester (Deborah), Vladia (Daniel Vallely), Tadeusz (Maureen), Veronica (Ferdie) Bowman, Anthony, Irene (Robert) Wickham, Andrew (April), and Ernest (Suzanne) Busta. Grandchildren, Eric Busta, Christopher and Eric Boniewski, Michael and James Vallely, Sarah Keppler, Katie Boniewski, Jennifer Bowman (Matt Roe), Nicole Conley, Brett Boniewski; and nine great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Home Instead caregivers, especially Tracy and Maria, the C1 Nursing Unit staff at Ellis Hospital, Hospice, and the Joan Nicole Prince Home staff and volunteers.

Services will be held at the Church of St. Adalbert, 550 Lansing Street, Schenectady, NY 12303 on Friday, April 21, at 10 a.m. followed by interment at St. Adalbert Cemetery. Calling hours will be held at the Church on Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of St. Adalbert or the Joan Nicole Prince Home, 22 Glenview Drive, Scotia, NY 12302.

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