Helen J. Ward

Mrs. Helen J. Ward, 87, of Salamanca, New York died Wednesday morning, April 6, 2016 at Olean General Hospital, Olean, New York, following a short illness.

Born June 3, 1928 in Ellicottville, New York, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Catherine Lesniak Jedrzejek. She was married on October 1, 1960 in Holy Name of Mary Church, Ellicottville, New York to Mr. Edward Ward, who predeceased her on March 27, 2009.

Mrs. Ward was employed by the Salamanca Nursing Home for eight years prior to her retirement. Previously, she had been employed at the Salamanca Penny Saver and Borden’s Dairy in Ellicottville, New York.

She was a member of Our Lady of Peace Parish, the Altar & Rosary Society, A.A.R.P., where she served as past secretary and historian, SCOUT, and was an avid card player. She also served as Secretary for the Salamanca Senior Center.

Surviving are: two daughters, Mary Gilstrap, Evans City, PA, Suzanne Ward, Washington, PA; two sons, Richard (Kathleen) Ward, Gibsonia, PA, Daniel (Minette) Ward, Concord, OH; five grandchildren, Austin Gilstrap, Evans City, PA, Nicole Ward, Rachel Ward, both of Gibsonia, PA, Ryan Ward, Joshua Ward, both of Concord, OH; two brothers, Joseph (Theresa) Jedrzejek, Ellicottville, NY, Peter (Joan) Jedrzejek, Thousand Oaks, CA; a sister, Josephine (Jack) Beckman, Laguna Woods, CA; several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by five brothers, Louis Jedrzejek, John Jedrzejek, Edmund Jedrzejek, Tadeusz Jedrzejek, Edward Jedrzejek, and three sisters, Frances Biel, Monica Bzdak, and Theresa Mason.

Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York on Friday, April 8, 2016 from 3 – 5 and 7 – 9 p.m.

A Prayer Service will be held in the funeral home on Saturday at 10:30, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of Peace Parish, 274 Broad Street, Salamanca, New York on Saturday at 11 a.m., with Rev. Piotr Napierkowski, pastor, as celebrant.

Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Ellicottville, New York.

The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society or the Salamanca Senior Center.

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