Helen Urbanowicz

Helen Catherine Urbanowicz of Stratford died in her loving granddaughter’s arms on June 21. Born on September 23, 1916, in Avoca, Penn., Helen moved to Bridgeport with her husband, Joseph, a World War II veteran.

Beloved wife and mother of the late Michael Joseph Urbanowicz, Helen devoted her life to giving and praying for others. She had been a parishioner of St Michael the Archangel Church for more than 50 years. In March of 2003, she fell ill and moved in with her granddaughter, Michelle Welkes.

In addition to Michelle, she is survived by her daughter-in-law Susan Campbell of Sandy Hook; great-granddaughter Brittany Welkes of Stratford, who was her coloring partner; “grandson,” Henry Welkes, who provided her with ice cream sundaes; and her friend Jeanette Rodriguez of Bridgeport, who was her hairdresser, part-time caretaker, and “adopted” daughter.

Funeral services were held privately on June 24 with interment in Lakeview Cemetery.

To honor her, the family intends to donate any contributions to local medical facilities for use by needy patients in purchasing certain types of medical supplies not covered by insurance

The Newtown Bee        June 25, 2004