Obituary for Helen Elizabeth Gatenby
Helen E. (Urbanek) Gatenby, 96, of Fayetteville, NY formerly of Erie, PA passed away on July 2, 2020 at Francis House in Syracuse, NY.
Helen was born July 8, 1923 in Carnegie, PA, to Joseph Urbanek and Honorata Galuszka who immigrated from Małopolska, Poland in the early 1910’s. She graduated from Carnegie High School in 1941 and then Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Prior to raising a family, she worked for Pittsburgh Water Heater Corp. and the Veteran’s Administration.
The family moved to Erie, PA in 1955 and, after the children had grown, Helen volunteered at St. Luke’s Church, the Second Harvest Food Bank, EmergyCare Headquarters, and the 911 Call Center. She enjoyed exercising, playing bridge, and word search puzzles.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Lorne; sister, Mary Drexler; and brother, John Urbanek.
Surviving are her children, Robert (Abby), Noreen (Tom) Linnemann Richard (Angela); grandchildren, Jordan Gatenby, Julia Kleingarn, John Gatenby, and Mary Gatenby; several great-grandchildren; niece, Barbara Drexler; and nephew, Jack Drexler.
Family and friends may call from 4 to 6 pm on Monday, July 6 at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Tuesday, July 7 at Immaculate Conception Church, 400 Salt Springs Street, Fayetteville. The Committal Service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, July 8 at Mary, Queen of Peace Mausoleum, 6000 Lake Pleasant Road, Erie, PA.
Helen was born July 8, 1923 in Carnegie, PA, to Joseph Urbanek and Honorata Galuszka who immigrated from Małopolska, Poland in the early 1910’s. She graduated from Carnegie High School in 1941 and then Point Park University in Pittsburgh. Prior to raising a family, she worked for Pittsburgh Water Heater Corp. and the Veteran’s Administration.
The family moved to Erie, PA in 1955 and, after the children had grown, Helen volunteered at St. Luke’s Church, the Second Harvest Food Bank, EmergyCare Headquarters, and the 911 Call Center. She enjoyed exercising, playing bridge, and word search puzzles.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Lorne; sister, Mary Drexler; and brother, John Urbanek.
Surviving are her children, Robert (Abby), Noreen (Tom) Linnemann Richard (Angela); grandchildren, Jordan Gatenby, Julia Kleingarn, John Gatenby, and Mary Gatenby; several great-grandchildren; niece, Barbara Drexler; and nephew, Jack Drexler.
Family and friends may call from 4 to 6 pm on Monday, July 6 at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 East Genesee Street, Fayetteville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 am on Tuesday, July 7 at Immaculate Conception Church, 400 Salt Springs Street, Fayetteville. The Committal Service will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, July 8 at Mary, Queen of Peace Mausoleum, 6000 Lake Pleasant Road, Erie, PA.