Helen (Novak) Varney

Varney,  Helen (Novak), 99, of Portage. Passed away December 3, 2024 at Maple Winds Care Center. Born December 16, 1924 in Cresson Shaft, the daughter of Emery and Mary (Kregovsky) Novak. Deceased family member include her parents; husband, Frank Varney; sons-in-law, Terry McClemens and Don Rittgers; granddaughter, Korey McClemens Welch; and grandson, Daniel Adam Rittgers; also several brothers and sisters, Mary, Julia, Elizabeth, Catherine, Anne, John, Joseph, and Francis. Survived by children, Marcia Rittgers, Ankeny, Iowa; Barbara Foor, Nokesville, VA; Kathleen McClemens, Sidman; and Sandra Lee Varney Wozychnoj, Duncansville; 10 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; and brother, Thomas Novak, Flint, MI. Over her many years Helen worked at the Ford Motor Company in Michigan and at the Juniata shops riveting B29's; waitressed and was a nanny in New York; and retired from the housekeeping department at Mount Aloysius College in Cresson. Her activities included making Pizza for years at the Benscreek Club along with their many sightseeing tours across the U.S; gardening, canning, baking,crocheting; polka dancing with her late partner Bernie Frankowsky; traveling with her sister Katie; enjoyed many activities at the Portage Senior Center including Wii Bowling and watercolors. She obtained her GED in January of 1992 along with her sisters Katie and Anne. She was a former member of St. Joseph Church in Portage, and belonged to the Legion of Mary at the former St. Agnes Church in Cassandra. Friends will be received from 10-11 a.m., Monday, at the Serenko-Claar Funeral Home, PC, Portage, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday with Father Thomas Stabile, T.O.R., officiating. Committal will be in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Cresson, at a later date.

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