Obituary of Helen L. Jurkowski

Helen L. Jurkowski, a retired child care provider and area resident since 1945, died Friday, October 15, 2004 in Orange Regional Medical Center, Arden Hill Campus, She was 96 years old. The daughter of the late Major George C. Hart and Helen Potter Hart, she was born July 22, 1908 in Elmira NY. She was the widow of Albert W. Jurkowski. She was a longtime member of the Pine Bush United Methodist Church, in which she was A Sunday School Teacher and Bible School Teacher; former member of the Pine Bush Ambulance Corp Auxiliary; Honorary member of the Pine Bush Lion's Club; former Girl Scout Leader for the Love Troop in Pine Bush; former chairwoman of the Cancer Crusade, Pine Bush Area since 1960; former chairwoman of the UNICEF Drive during Halloween since 1960. Helen also organized and ran the "Santa Workshop" for 10 years; organized and directed the Community Talent Show for childrn from her home for 25 years. One show every year, donations raised went to different charities. She was an honorary member of the Pine Bush High School Honor Society;former member for many years of the PTA in the Pine Bush High School. She wrote a family column on Pine Bush in the Citizen Herald and later the Wallkill Valley Times, which appeared every week. Survivors include one niece, Carol Bowers of San Diego, Calif.; two nephews, Jim Hart of California and Fred Yahn of Watkins Glen, NY several grandnieces and nephews and dear friends, Majorie Redder of Pine Bush and Madeline Glass and her husband Fred of Pine Bush. There will be no visitation. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, November 4 at the Pine Bush United Methodist Church, Route 302, Pine Bush. Inurnment will be held in New Prospect Cemetery, next to her husband Al. Memorials may be made to the Pine Bush United Methodist Church or Pine Bush Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Arrangements by the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, Inc. www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com for directions