Helen Patricia Labuhn Wojtowicz Wrona

Helene Patricia Labuhn Wojtowicz Wrona, 96, of Salamanca, NY died Wednesday evening, August 21, 2024 at Salamanca Nursing & Rehabilitation Center surrounded by her family, following a brief illness.

Born May 29, 1928 in Salamanca, NY she was the daughter of the late Frederick “Fritz” and Georgia Rose Ryan Labuhn. She was married on August 28, 1982 to Mr. Leo Wrona, who predeceased her in 2015. Previously, she had been married to Mr. Victor Wojtowicz, with whom she had three sons, who they loved dearly.

She had been employed with Shebel & Wood Woolen Mills until she started her family.

Helene knew how to enjoy life and once you were her friend, you had a friend for life. She was a survivor of stage four uterine cancer and had learned to live with macular degeneration in her later years. Before her eyesight limited her, you would find her at the bowling alley, taking drives in the park with her dogs, Scotty and Misty, at McDonalds after mass enjoying coffee with her friends, and attending grandchildren’s, and great-nieces’ and -nephews’ games, concerts, and plays. Her love of animals was endless. She also enjoyed yearly trips to the OTB for the Kentucky Derby to bet on any horse in the number eight position, and ironically, it would win.

Her family influenced her love of sports and she would often ask, “Is there a ball game on TV?”. It didn’t matter if they were local or if her family liked the team, she was a fan. The only thing that made her smile brighter was spending time making memories with her family and watching them grow. She had a great sense of humor and was eager to partake in a prank or two. She loved music, especially her dad playing the accordion and listening to her brother’s band. If she couldn’t be there in person, she would insist on him recording his music. Helene was very social, even in her later years, and had a great love of people. Her faith was strong and when she could no longer attend mass, she would faithfully listen on television every Sunday.

She will most certainly be missed by all. As she often said, “Now go and do what you want while you can.”.

Surviving are: three sons, Richard (Branda Schine) Wojtowicz, Franklinville, NY, Ronald (Tracy) Wojtowicz, Wilmington, NC, Victor (Ann) Wojtowicz, Killbuck, NY; six grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Gertude “Trudy” Best, CA; a brother, William (Susan) Labuhn, Great Valley, NY; her godson, Thomas Milanowski; several nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by a sister, Kathrine Woodward, a brother, Frederick Labuhn, a special aunt, Rosemary Ryan, a sister-in-law, Elaine Wojtowicz, good friends, MaryEllen Milanowski, Paula Swartz, and Nancy O’Brien, along with all her coffee and bowling team members that are too numerous to list.

There will be no visitation.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Our Lady of Peace Parish, 274 Broad Street, Salamanca, NY on Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 11am with Rev. Dennis Mancuso as celebrant.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Salamanca, NY.

In remembrance of Helene’s life and her love of animals, the family ask that any charitable donations be made to Empire Animal Rescue Society (EARS), at www.empirerescue.org.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY.

E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.