Helen M. Holupko

Worked in defense plant during WWII
Helen M. Holupko, 89, formerly of Masontown, passed away peacefully Friday, March 14, 2014, in her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born July 15, 1924, in Grays Landing, a daughter of Andrew and Anna Hunchuck Balash.
Mrs. Holupko was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Masontown, Confraternity of Christian Mothers, Catholic Daughters of America, Faith-Gray-McArdle Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary 4584, Fort Mason American Legion Ladies Auxiliary 423, Pal’s Social Club Ladies Auxiliary, 8/40 Salon 105 and First Catholic Slovak Ladies Union.
During World War II, she worked at a defense plant in Cleveland, Ohio, and was affectionately called “Rosie the Riveter” by her friends and co-workers.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Patty (Balash) Blair and husband Alfred “Butch” of Masontown, Andrea Balash Clark and husband James of Uniontown, with whom she made her home, Michael A. Holupko and wife Darcy of Carmichaels, and Lisa Holupko Glugla and husband Peter of Mt. Wolf; grandchildren Richard Blair and his girlfriend Sharon Beattie, Kelly Kotarsky and husband David, Scott Blair and wife Amy, Jeff Clark, Kim Yauger and husband Derek, Ryan Clark and girlfriend Alyssa, Danielle Glugla, Jessica Glugla and fiancé Cory, Cody Glugla and Sarah Glugla; great-grandchildren Kaitlyn and Blair Kotarsky, Nicholas and Kennedy Yauger and Hunter, Dustin and Lacey Blair; a brother, Charles E. Balas and wife Shirley of Smithfield; and many nieces and nephews.
Deceased, in addition to her parents, are husband Michael Holupko; and four brothers and sisters, Joseph Balash, Anne Balash, Paul Balash and Elizabeth Freiberg.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday in Haky Funeral Home Inc., 515 North Main Street, Masontown, and until 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 17, when prayers of transfer will be said. The funeral Mass will follow at 10 a.m. Monday in St. Francis of Assisi Parish, 101 West Church Avenue, Masontown, with the Rev. Father William G. Berkey as celebrant. Interment will follow at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Mary Cemetery, Leckrone. St. Francis of Assisi Christian Mothers will recite the rosary at 3 p.m. Sunday. Personal written tributes and memories are welcomed and encouraged at www.hakyfuneralhome.com.