Obituary for Helen Pohronezny David
Helen (Pohronezny) David, 94, 12 Jane Avenue, Schuylkill Haven, died peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, May 7, 2023. She was an amazing wife and mother, caring sister, beloved aunt, and wonderful friend.
Born in St. Clair, PA, on October 3rd, 1928, Helen was the youngest child of the late John and Anastasia (Klimkowska) Pohronezny. She grew up on the family farm in Summit Station, PA, and later resided in Key West, FL and Mahanoy Plane, PA. She then lived 59 years at her home in Rennigers Haven, before residing at Luther Ridge at Seiders Hill in Pottsville, PA.
Helen graduated from Cressona High School in 1946 and remained very close with her classmates. She was a member of the St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church, Schuylkill Haven, and Saint John the Baptist Church, Maizeville, PA. Helen was a proud Ukrainian who could speak the language until her death. Her strength, spirit, devotion to God, and determination to live a long happy life surrounded by countless family members and friends of all ages was definitely accomplished. She was also a State College Elks Lodge #1600 member.
She loved to go dancing, dining out, or staying home and eating steamed clams and drinking Manhattans. Helen also enjoyed playing card games like 500 Rummy and Pinochle, and most recently, Rummikub. No matter who she played against, she usually won!
Helen spent a very social life in the hospitality business. Whether hosting dinners or card clubs in her home, or working in the community as a mixologist, she was always serving others. Some of the local places she worked at were the Alps Restaurant, Elite Restaurant, Reading Restaurant, Blue Ridge Inn, Inn 83 (for 7 owners), The Country Squire (for 3 owners), Schuylkill Country Club, Swiss Chalet, Villa Montanga, Mercuri’s Steak House and the 1792 House.
Preceding her in death was her beloved husband of 43 years, Harry David, who died in 1993; five brothers, Peter, Alex, John, Michael, Daniel, and Nicholas; and two sisters Ann, and Mary Yerusavage.
Surviving are two children: her son Michael Harry David and his wife Deborah Mackey David, Auburn; and daughter Lisa Ann David Schroeder, State College and former husband Steven M. Schroeder, Myrtle Beach, SC. There are four grandchildren: Bryan Lee David, and his wife Heather Hobbs David, Reading; Brittany Michelle Kiapes and her husband John Thomas Kiapes, Seltzer; Lauren Nicole Schroeder, San Francisco, CA; and Lacey Olivia Schroeder Montecchi, and her husband Mariano Montecchi, Evanston, IL. There are also three great grandchildren: Ayden Michael Kiapes, Ava June Kiapes, Bridger Michael David, and one on the way! Helen also has five Godchildren: Joseph Allen Yerusavage, Summit Station; Stanley George David, New Haven, VT; Kathleen Pohronezny Parker, Orwigsburg, PA; Teresa Marie David Kalinowsky, Ipswich, MA; and Larry Pauly, Jr.
Family and friends are invited to attend a private viewing this Saturday, May 13th, from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, at the Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven, with funeral services immediately following. Burial will be in the Schuylkill Memorial Park, Route 61, Schuylkill Haven.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made towards a “Memorial Bench” which will honor both the David and Pohronezny families, and be placed in the cemetery. Checks can be made directly to: Schuylkill Memorial Park, 75 Memorial Drive, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schuylkillmemorialpark.com.