In the evening hours of Saturday, July 27, 2024, Helen D. “Elaine” Tanski, a longtime resident of the Upper Askam section of Hanover Township, peacefully departed this life, entering into the glory of Heaven, at the well-attained age of 94, while under the care of the outstanding staff of Smith Health Care Ltd., Mountain Top.

Her beloved husband was the late Joseph J. “Chow” Tanski, who entered into eternal rest on April 17, 1991. Chow and Elaine were blessed to share 41 years of marriage.

Born on December 14, 1929, in Nanticoke, and raised in the Hanover section of Nanticoke, Elaine was one of three daughters born to the late Russell Zeedock and Mary L. Panowiecz Zeedock.

Prior to her retirement, Elaine was employed as a seamstress in the local garment industry, holding membership with the International Ladies Garment Workers Union.

A woman of faith, Elaine was a longtime member of Holy Family Church, Sugar Notch, until its closing in 2021. Throughout her life, she had a special devotion to the most Blessed Virgin Mary, praying the Rosary every evening.

Feisty, determined and strong-willed, Elaine may have given off a sense of having a tough exterior, but, at her core, she was warm, caring, loving, selfless and generous – to say that she would give anyone the shirt off her back is an understatement. Her kindness and compassion led her to devote many years during her retirement to care for her elderly paternal aunts.

Elaine enjoyed the simple pleasures in life such as playing a spirited card game with her loved ones, especially pitch; going out for dinner with daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters; and taking walks around her neighborhood. She had a soft spot in her heart for all of God’s furry creatures, especially the cats she had over the years.

Family brought Elaine the most happiness in life – they were her reason for living. Her granddaughters were the apples of her eye and she relished in all of their accomplishments. Although her passing leaves a tremendous void, there is joy in knowing she is free of her earthly suffering, happily reunited in Heaven with her beloved husband and all her loved ones who were awaiting her arrival there.

In addition to her parents, Russell and Mary Zeedock, and her husband, Joseph, Elaine was preceded in death by her two sisters, Vivienne Wallace and Martha “Joan” Patts.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving and devoted daughter, Elaine Popek and her husband, David, Hanover Township; her adoring granddaughters, Nicole Popek and Sarah Popek, both of Hanover Township; as well as generations of nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Smith Health Care Ltd., especially Donna Strittmater, Mary Bielman, and Tammy Preston – the amazing care you provided Elaine, as well as the love and compassion you bestowed upon her will never be forgotten.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Elaine’s Blessing Service which will be celebrated on Friday, August 02, 2024, at 11:30 AM at the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, with the Reverend Father Joseph R. Kakareka, Pastor Emeritus of the former Holy Family Church, officiating.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Saint Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Hanover Township.

Family and friends are invited to attend Elaine’s viewing which will be held on Thursday evening, August 01, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, at the funeral home.

The family requests that those attending Elaine’s viewing and/or funeral service come with a sense of happiness and a heart full of gratitude in celebration of her wonderful life.

To share a memory of Elaine or message of condolence with her family, you may visit the funeral home website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

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