Helene Golec

Helene Golec, 84 of Mt. Prospect Illinois passed away peacefully at 7:55 a.m. Thursday, November 10, 2011 at Hospice of Northeast Illinois following significant medical complications including a recent major stoke. Helene (Oma) will be deeply missed by her daughter Monica Oblinger and her son John Golec. Helene will also be missed by Monica’s husband Don, their children John and Anna along with John’s wife Erin and their children Jack and Danny along with her extended family and friends. Oma will also be missed by the Oblinger’s beloved therapy boxer Hans and the Golec’s family dog Sydney, who were always near her. It might have been because she loved children and animals so deeply or perhaps because she occasionally gave them a few treats under the kitchen table. Helene was born on a small farm in Eastern Slovakia in the small village of Mihalok on March 13, 1927 to Emily and Jakob Hilgart. She lived through the tragedy of World War Two including losing her adopted Slovak brother, “Joshel”. After the war, she moved with her mother and father to small villages in Northern Austria and outside of Heidelberg Germany before eventually moving to New Castle PA in 1950 to be near her mother Millie’s (Emily) close sister Agnes Ritter. On January 16, 1954, Helene married John Golec of Mali Bukovec Croatia. She became a hardworking homemaker, mother, wife and master gardener, canner, and accomplished baker. Helene deeply loved her children, her family, was a giving and caring neighbor. She was a devout member of Catholic churches in both New Castle PA and McDonald OH where the family moved in 1970 to a new home they built on 1121 Parkview Ave. After her husband and our beloved father John died at an early age of 59 in 1979, Helene continued to care for her parents, including her father, Jakob who passed away in 1986 and her mother who was very ill for more than 5 years before Millie passed away at 91 years of age. In the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, Helene spent hundreds of days in hospitals, comforting and caring for husband, father and mother and yet still found time to bake and cook the all important major feasts during the happy holiday seasons. She taught us by example many valuable lessons in life; “Love your children and family unconditionally”, “Work hard”, “Treat people with respect, no matter what their religion, their race or their background”, “Share what you have”, “Save”, “Don’t waste”, “Be kind to animals and those in need” These are values that will live on through her children and grandchildren and be passed to her great grandchildren. We will miss the matriarch of our family dearly but will always have fond memories of the times we laughed, and cried together. Bye Mom, we love you!!! May you rise on angels wings to external happiness. You have showed us by your words and actions how to love unconditionally, and live the life of a true Christian. John and Monica Family will receive friends on Sunday, November 13, 2011 from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Ave, Austintown, Ohio 44515. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 14, 2011 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in McDonald, with Fr. John Madden officiating, preceded by closing prayers to be recited at 9:00 a.m. at the funeral home prior in leaving for the church. Interment will follow in Girard City Cemetery.