Oct 19, 2023

Helen Magon Brezinski, 98, of Avella, passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2023, in Evergreen Assisted Living, Washington.

She was born April 10, 1925, in Avella, a daughter of the late Josef and Sofia Szmuc Magon.

Helen was a 1943 graduate of Avella High School. After high school, during World War II, she was a clerk’s assistant at the P&WV Railroad office in Avella.

She was a member of St. Isidore the Farmer Parish (St. Michael Church of Avella) and the church’s Christian Mothers organization; she was also a former member of the American Legion Bert C. Siders Post 643 Ladies Auxiliary of Avella.

Helen enjoyed listening to classical music, watching classic movies and reading classic novels.

Faith was very important to Helen; the focus of her life was her church and she prayed the rosary daily.

Helen was a lifelong resident of Avella.

On January 29, 1949, in St. Michael Church, she married Sigmund Brezinski, who died June 20, 2002.

She was the last of her immediate family.

Preceding her in death, in addition to her husband and parents, were a sister, Mary B. Magon; a brother, Raymond Magon; and an infant brother, Albert Magon.

Surviving Helen are two sons, Mark (Linda) Brezinski of Washington, and David (Carla) Brezinski of Ellicott City, Md.; a daughter, Rose Mary (Michael) Orisko of Westford, Vt.; six grandchildren, Jay (Karen) Cowieson, Jill (Robert) Daniels, Matthew (Nicole) Brezinski, Laura Brezinski, Steven (Meghan) Orisko, and Daniel (Bryanne) Orisko; 14 great- grandchildren, Lauren, Brody and Madeline Cowieson, Logan, Lexi and Lucas Daniels, Beckett and Brooks Brezinski, Avery, Theo, Louis, Daniel, Ryder and Liberty Rose Orisko.

Helen’s family wishes to extend a special thank you to the staff at Evergreen Assisted Living in Washington for taking such good care of her these past nine years. Thanks also to the entire Hospice Staff from OSPTA who helped the family through Helen’s final weeks and whose daily care and concern did not go unnoticed.

Friends and family will be received from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, October 20, in the Jerome A. Stefkovich Funeral Home, Inc., 18 Campbell Street, Avella, PA 15312. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 21, in St. Michael Church, 97 Highland Avenue, Avella, with the Rev. Harry Bielewicz officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael Cemetery, Avella.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Isidore the Farmer Parish (specify to be used in St. Michael Church), 103 Church Road, Imperial, PA 15126; or Washington City Mission, 84 W. Wheeling Street, Washington, PA 15301.

Condolences may be expressed at www.stefkovichfuneralhome.com.