Helen Liedtka Obituary

Helen A. Liedtka PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL Helen A. Liedtka (Jaruszewski) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, passed away unexpectedly on July 10, 2021. She was 84 years old. Helen was born and raised in Trenton, NJ. She attended St. Stephen Elementary School and Cathedral High School. Helen excelled in school, with fond memories of her many activities such as student council president, local Red Cross president, and varsity basketball team captain. Helen then went on to become a Registered Nurse and a proud graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, class of 1957. She married the love of her life, Philip Liedtka, in 1958. They lived in Mercerville, NJ before moving to Morrisville, PA, and raised 4 children before retiring to Palm Beach Gardens, FL. They were deeply involved with their parish (St. Clare Catholic Church in North Palm Beach) and numerous volunteer activities. Helen and Phil loved to travel, with highlights including trips across the USA in their RV, pilgrimages to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City, seeing Queen Elizabeth II in London, and an encounter with Pope Francis in Vatican City. Helen and Phil were married for 55 years before his passing in 2013. In her later years, Helen became an usher at the Eissey Campus Theatre (Palm Beach State College), a position that she thoroughly loved and enjoyed right up to her passing. She was a valued volunteer and gave her all to this endeavor, as she did with everything in her life. She also enjoyed the many enrichment classes she took at Florida Atlantic University. Helen was a voracious reader, loved spending time with her family and friends, and she was very tough to beat at Scrabble and Rummy. She was the most organized person any of us ever knew, and her sense of humor, generosity, and thoughtfulness were legendary. Above all, Helen was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She is survived by her 4 children: daughter Mariann (Larry) and sons Phil (Mary Ann), Paul (Melody), and Stephen (Jeanne). She will be sorely missed by her 8 grandchildren: Matthew, Chelsea, Margaret, Elizabeth, Jack, Anneliese, Megan, and Nathan. Helen is also survived by her sisters-in-law Eileen Liedtka, Linda Slabicki, and Theresa (John) Kashner, brother-in-law Tom Gray, and 32 nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Philip, parents Helen and John Jaruszewski, and her big sister and best friend Joan. A celebration of Helen's life will take place on Wednesday 7/21/21. There will be visitation at Our Lady of Sorrows Church (Hamilton) from 10 - 11 am, followed by a Mass and interment at St. Mary's cemetery next to her husband. A gathering will follow at 1:00 pm at Stone Terrace (https://www.thestoneterrace.com/), please bring your stories and fond memories of Helen. In lieu of flowers, contributions in remembrance to Helen's favorite charities are welcome: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (stjude.org) and Smile Train (smiletrain.org). Helen's children wish to thank our many extended family members, neighbors, and friends. Your love and support has meant the world to us at this difficult time. Kingston & Kemp Funeral Home 260 White Horse Ave. Trenton, NJ 08610 (609) 585-7321