It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Helen Madar, a sweet, gentle, and loving woman who lived a happy, spirited life, and touched the hearts of everyone she met. She peacefully departed this world in the comfort of her home in Swoyersville with family at her bedside at the age of 98, leaving behind a large and loving family, cherished memories, and an enduring legacy.

Her beloved husband was the late John Madar who passed away on September 15, 1992. John and Helen were blessed to share 46 beautiful years of marriage.

Born on September 06, 1925, in Pringle, Helen was one of three daughters born to the late Joseph Rutkowski and Mary A. Kader Rutkowski.

Raised in Swoyersville, Helen was a graduate of the former Swoyersville High School.

Prior to her retirement, Helen was employed as a laborer in the local garment industry, and held membership with the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. During World War II, Helen was a patriotic woman who did her part to support the troops. She used her sewing skills to create clothes for the soldiers, helping to keep them warm and comfortable during their service. Her selflessness and commitment to the cause were a testament to her character.

A woman of great faith, Helen was a longtime member of the former Holy Trinity Church, Swoyersville, holding membership with its Confraternity of Christian Mothers. Following the consolidation of her church, she became a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville.

Helen was a joyful, jovial woman with a vivacious spirit – she lived life with passion and exuberance, and shared her boundless joy with everyone she encountered. Her love of music and dancing were evident to all who knew her, and many have heard her say her famous line, “I love to sing and dance”! Most recently, Helen was acknowledged by the Mayor of Swoyersville for her polka skills at the annual Polka-Fest and was interviewed and featured several times on local television. Her deep appreciation for music, especially polka’s, often set her feet tapping and brought a twinkle to her eye, whereas her jubilant singing voice always filled the room with warmth. When Helen and her sisters, Marie and Bernadine, were together you were guaranteed to hear the three of them harmonizing.

A regular at the casinos and bingo halls, Helen had a knack for games of chance and was a skilled and proficient bingo player who brought a spirit of fun and anticipation wherever she went. She was a loyal fan of the New York Yankees and her heart belonged to the legendary Derek Jeter, whose baseball career she followed with unwavering loyalty. She was such a loyal fan that the Yankees surprised and honored Helen on her 90^th birthday with a special birthday wish on the Jumbotron in Yankee Stadium.

Helen radiated warmth, positivity, and love. She cherished her family and friends and was a source of inspiration to all who knew her. Her warm smile, twinkling eyes, zest for life, and passion for the things she loved will forever be etched in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to have shared in her life.

In addition to her parents, Joseph and Mary Rutkowski, and her husband, John, Helen was preceded in death by her brothers-in-law, Raymond Guido and Walter Pitcavage.

Left to cherish Helen’s memory are her three children, John Madar and his wife, Mary Ann, Swoyersville; Joseph Madar and his wife, Robbin, Harveys Lake; and Karen Oncay and her husband, Raymond, Dallas; her three grandchildren, Michelle Connolly and her husband, Jeff, Kingston Township; Johnny Madar and his wife, Colleen, West Wyoming; and Michael Oncay, Dallas; her two great-grandchildren, Jacob Connolly and Morgan Madar; her two sisters, Marie Guido, Milford, Connecticut; and Bernadine Pitcavage, West Wyoming; as well as generations of nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral which will be conducted on Friday, October 27, 2023, at 9:30 AM from the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, 116 Hughes Street, Swoyersville, with the Reverend Father Richard J. Cirba, family friend, officiating.

The Confraternity of Christian Mothers of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish will recite the Rosary on Friday morning at 9:00 AM in the church.

Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville.

Family and friends are invited to attend Helen’s viewing which will be held on Thursday, October 26, 2023, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, at the funeral home.

To share a message of condolence with Helen’s family, you may visit the funeral home’s website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

May Helen rest in peace – singing, dancing, and polkaing among the stars.

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