Obituaries

Helen A. Dabrowski

Helen A. Dabrowski

Helen A. Dabrowski died suddenly May 15 at Peconic Bay Medical Center at the age of 82.

Helen, along with her twin sister, Irene, was a lifelong resident of Aquebogue, having been born in her grandparents’ farmhouse on Shade Tree Lane on June 10, 1928, to Mieczyslaw “Caesar” and Aniela “Angeline” (Prusinowska) Dabrowski. She attended Aquebogue Elementary School and graduated from Riverhead High School in 1946. She was employed for 42 years as a mortgage officer at Riverhead Savings Bank and was a longtime member of the Altar Rosary Society of St. Isidore Church and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Riverhead Polish Independent Club.

Affectionately known as “the Twins,” she and Irene resided in the family homestead in Aquebogue. They enjoyed traveling, especially driving to Florida and Atlantic City in its heyday. Helen had a passion for photography, gardening, music and family gatherings. Her baking specialty was chocolate cake. As a sister, aunt, great-aunt and cousin, Helen embraced joys enthusiastically and perservered in Catholic faith and love of her family.

As a godchild, Susan Etter Abraham of Massachusetts remembers that her Aunt Helen was always there for her and never forgot her birthday, and that one of the best memories she has is waiting as a child for her “twin aunts” to come over and take her to the beach.

Godchild Lisa A. Dabrowski of Cutchogue fondly remembers Aunt Helen teaching her Polish folk songs, dancing to “The Lawrence Welk Show” and the encouragement that she gave her for all her creative pursuits.

Helen will be loved and remembered by her surviving twin sister, Irene Dabrowski; sister Eugenia and brother-in-law Stanley Cherouski; brother Conrad and sister-in-law Mary; brother John and Maria; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents and dear sisters Julianna Boyd (1965) and Natalie Etter (2009).

Visiting hours for relatives and friends are scheduled for May 17 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.  at McLaughlin Heppner Funeral Home on Marcy Avenue in Riverhead. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated May 18 at 9:30 a.m. by the Rev. Robert G. Kuznik at St. Isidore R.C. Church in Riverhead. Private cremation will follow.

Donations in memory of Helen A. Dabrowski may be made to Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance or St. Isidore R.C. Church.

This is a paid notice.