Helen Baranowsky Kiefer

On January 26, 2018, Helen Baranowsky Kiefe r, 91, passed away at home. She was born in Frackville on January 16, 1927, to Polish immigrant parents, Antonina and Walter Baranowsky. Her childhood was anything but ideal; it was downright difficult. The secret to surviving extreme poverty in her early years was her sense of humor. Helen told stories of growing up during the depression and World War II to her children and grandchildren, who listened with rapt attention. The story of her life is admirable and a life lesson to those who knew her.

Helen was the youngest of seven children born to Antonina Nielubowicz Baranowsky. Without the presence of a father, her uneducated and illiterate immigrant mother did her best to clothe and feed her family. Helen's early years were spent picking huckleberries and coal to help support the family. She was the only one of her siblings to complete high school, graduating from West Mahanoy Township High School on June 6 ^th , 1944 — the same day her future husband stormed the beaches of Normandy.

Despite her difficult upbringing, Helen had the innate ability to raise a good family and run a household. She was the original "Martha Stewart": she had the talent to bake, wallpaper, paint, varnish hardwood floors, sew clothing and still have a hot meal on the table every evening for her family. She provided her children with a great example of what it means to be a wife and mother. Helen was a fabulous singer and could find a song for every word. A member of St. Joseph's Parish, she sang in the church choir from her teenage years to the present, singing in St. Cecelia's Choir, St. Ann's Church and the St. Joseph's Choir and Music Ministry.

Helen said her life began when she met and married the love of her life, Bernard "Bernie" Kiefer. They met in 1947 at Swades Restaurant in Frackville, not long after Bernie returned from the war.  They were married for almost 63 years when Bernie passed away in 2012. Bernie and Helen loved dancing, especially the jitterbug. Together they raised four children: Bernard, Jim, Patti (Domalakes) and Caroline (Twardzik).

Coming from such a humble beginning, Helen had big dreams of the greater world and passed her love for travel and adventure to her children. Even when Bernie and Helen didn't have "two nickels to rub together" they found a way to take their family to the Jersey Shore or see the sights of the country they loved. She taught her children what it meant to be a proud American.

Love of God, family, country and travel rubbed off on her nine grandchildren: Alex (fiancé, Natallia Stelmak Schabner) and Katy Kiefer (husband, Cameron Myers); Meredith (husband, John Corrales), Annie (husband, Andrew Rall), Paul Luke and Madeline Domalakes; and Adam, Eric and Ryan Twardzik. She was very proud of them all.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband, Bernard Kiefer; her parents; and siblings Verna Matusick, Charlie Niel, Pete Niel, Frances Antalosky, Lenny Baran and Wally Baran. She was the last surviving member of her family. Also preceding her in death are many beloved sisters and brothers-in-law: Irene Baran, Steve Antalosky, Amy Niel, Jeanette Niel, Joan Fennelly, Helen Murphy Kiefer, Catherine Bugdanewicz, Catherine Kiefer, Peggy Fiorillo, Dorothy Baran, John Matusick and her godson, Joe Baran.

Surviving are her 4 children and their spouses: Bern and Sally Kiefer, Jim Kiefer, Patti and Paul Domalakes, Carol and Tim Twardzik; 9 grandchildren and 3 great

grandchildren: Eleanor Rall, Noel Corrales and Evelyn Kiefer; nieces and nephews; cousin Lorraine Stanton; Anna and Tosia Laska and Magda Kopala.

Thank you to the staff of Covenant Hospice for their compassion and care shown to our mother. Especially, Karen, Lisa, Meghan, Stefanie, Chris and Shirley.

To Rosie, Patricia, Kathy, Lynn, Darlene, Kiki, Liz, Debbie and Dr. Munir: thank you for being with us on this journey of life.

Donations in Helen's name can be sent to the Frackville Museum, 42 S. Center St., Frackville;  Frackville Beautification , 156 S. Centre Street, Frackville, or the Frackville Library, 56 N. Lehigh Ave., Frackville.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 at St. Ann's Church, 49 N. Line Street Frackville at 11 a.m. with Rev. Edmund Brennan as the celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Englewood, Frackville. Friends may call at the church on Friday morning from 9 a.m. until time of mass.