Obituary of Helen Paradowski

F. Helen Paradowski, 92, of Glenville passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 21, 2022 at the B.H.N.R.C after a lengthy battle with dementia.

Born July 8, 1930 in Rotterdam, NY, she was the daughter of the the late George and Mary Paradowski. She was a graduate of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake school system. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Ralph Paradowski, Leo (Olga) Paradowski, Thomas Paradowski; her sisters, Lucy (Dana) Smith, and Jenny Cummings; nephew, William Paradowski and niece, Jennifer Reid. She is survived by nieces, Janice (George) Robinson and Lori (Evan) Willig and nephews, James Smith and Wayne (Lynn) Paradowski; as well as several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Helen worked several jobs over her lifetime. When young she loved working on the Paradowski family farm, then at MICA Insulator Co., Glenridge Hospital, Lawless Corp., and then again at Glenridge Hospital. In 1979, she began working at the former Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Hardware. Helen loved working, especially with her friends, community and the Bachaud family at B.H.B.L Hardware. After retiring in 1992, she could be found in her beautiful yard working and gardening when the weather allowed. When the weather wouldn’t co-operate or in the winter months, she would spend many hours in her little workshop, next to the wood stove, either fixing something, working on crafts, or just simply puttering.

Helen was always active all her life, when younger she enjoyed both cross country and downhill skiing, water skiing, snowmobiling, roller skating, and bowling. She had a little cabin by Sacandaga Lake on a little hill that she named, “Upze Dazy”, where she entertained family and friends.

Helen’s favorite pastime other than being with family and friends was polka dancing. As much as possible, Helen and her friends would travel far and wide to attend a dance; it didn’t matter if it was in another state or not, she lived for polka dancing and couldn’t dance enough!

Many times, she would comment on how she had a beautiful life and had no complaints. It showed every time you would meet her, she was always smiling and in a good mood. Helen’s favorite saying was: “I don’t swear, I don’t smoke, and I don’t drink, blankety blank…I left my pipe in the saloon.”

The family would like to give special thanks to dear friends that helped Helen get through her long struggle with the declining effects of dementia, you all know how you helped: Janice Robinson, Josephine Ross and Marty, Kathy Pirigi, Helen Martin, Jayne Adams, Wendy Fisk, Wendy Epting, The Bachaud family; the nurses and staff at Baptist Health Center; the neighbors in the Paradowski Road neighborhood, who often stopped to chat with Helen or let her ride along with them on her three wheels cycle; also the care from Glenville Funeral Home.

A Celebration of Life graveside service will be held at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Glenville on Tuesday, October 25th at 2 PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Animal Protective Foundation, 53 Maple Ave, Schenectady, NY 12302, or a charity of choice. Online condolences at glenvillefuneralhome.com