Helen A. (Yurkiewicz) Nelson, 90, formerly of 63 Kendrick Avenue, Worcester, died Saturday, March 22, in Holy Trinity Eastern Orthodox Nursing Home.
Her Husband of 57 years, Nils O. Nelson died in 1992. She leaves two daughters, Linda Carlson Romano, of Worcester and Paula L. Nicholson, of Brewster, Massachusetts, two brothers, Mitchell Yurkiewicz of Sutton, Edward Yurkiewicz of Worcester and a sister, Wanda C. Varnum, of North Brookfield. Two sisters, Stella Yurkiewicz and Viola Yurkiewicz predeceased her as well as one brother, Benjamin Jenewin. She also leaves four grandchildren, and one great grandson, and seven nieces and nephews.
She was born in Worcester, daughter of Adolph and Josephine (Migdal) Yurkiewicz. She was a graduate of Worcester Girls Trade School. Mrs. Nelson was employed for 28 years as a supervisor and sample maker at R & M Manufacturing in Leominster. Mrs. Nelson was a 65 year member of Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Worcester. She was a volunteer at Higgins Armory Museum, the Frances Perkins (Greendale) branch of the Worcester Public Library. She also did volunteer work for The American Red Cross. She was an avid reader and walker. She competed in many local road races including the Focus on Women’s Health Walk to benefit the Red Cross. At 82 years of age, she and her walking partner, Molly Yeaton, competed in the Tufts Health Plan 10K for Women in Boston completing the 6.2 miles in 2 hours and 16 minutes. About 4,200 women competed in this all-women event. Following the race, both Molly and Helen were called up to the award’s stage and recognized by the Master of Ceremonies as "the real heroes of the race".
The funeral will be held Tuesday, March 25, from Nordgren Memorial Chapel, 300 Lincoln Street, with a Mass at 10 a.m. at St. George's Church, 40 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours at the funeral home will be from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Red Cross, Disaster Relief Fund, 50 Harvard Street, Worcester or to Alzheimer's Association, 36 Cameron Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140.