Helen Gargano

for the latest styles at major department stores. At 100 years old she maintained her well-groomed

and tailored appearance. Although raised in a Polish family one of her great joys was cooking special

meals she learned from her Italian in-laws.

Helen’s secret to longevity was family. She raised 2 sons and enjoyed 4 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. “Family First” has always been her motto as she has always

lived for her family. She is the glue that held the family together and epitomized the word Matriarch.

On February 17th, 1921 a baby girl was born to a Polish working-class couple in

the coal mining town of Hazelton, PA. Helen was the eldest of four children. At an early age she had to

take responsibility for household chores and help with the 3 smaller children while keeping up with

her own studies at a local school. Growing up during the Great Depression and being raised by hard

working parents, Helen was quickly molded into someone who was not afraid to roll up her sleeves and

get her hands dirty, someone who worked hard, expected nothing in return and found enjoyment from

the basics of life. These are the values she bestowed upon her children.