Helen Agnes Umerlik

Helen Agnes Umerlik, 95, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, in Heritage Center in Dundalk. Born March 7, 1919, in Baltimore, she was the daughter of the late Eleanore Marzal Grubowski and Frank Grubowski. She was the wife of the late Joseph Umerlik to whom she was married for 50 years. During World War II, she worked in Glenn L. Martin factory in Baltimore. She was proud of her contribution to the war effort as one of the many “Rosies” from the “Rosie the Riveter” workforce. Helen was a homemaker and raised four children always putting their needs first. She lived in Nottingham for more than 30 years, and before that she lived in Dundalk. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Dundalk for more than 65 years. In her later years, she also had visitors from St. Joseph’s Church in Fullerton. Proud of her Polish heritage, she celebrated that culture through her membership in the Polish Alliance and Polka Weekenders in Baltimore. She and her husband made several friends through those groups. She was a member of the Overlea/Fullerton Senior Center where she enjoyed painting ceramics and socializing with her friends. She took pleasure in giving her ceramics to family and friends. She also enjoyed baking and cooking and was known for remembering birthdays with her delicious pound cake and celebrating Christmas Eve with her feast of pierogi and polish sausage. She was known for her crab soup filled with chunks of meat and vegetables. She also crocheted blankets and pillowcases that she gave to family members and grew flowers around her house. Her favorite flower was the lily. Surviving are her sons, Ron and wife Ann of New Freedom, Pa., Joseph Jr. and wife Beverly of Daytona Beach, Fla., and John and Kathy of Baltimore; her daughter, Patricia Thompson and husband Bill of Hanover, Pa.; her brother, Francis Grubowski and wife Marlene of Baltimore; her grandchildren, Lisa Ward of Tennessee, Therese Umerlik of New Freedom, Pa., Louis Umerlik and wife Ami of Baltimore, Rosemarie Umerlik and husband Chris Greiner of Maine, Andrew Capp and wife Molly of Red Lion, Pa., Meghann Capp and fiancé Jose of Maryland, and Peter Umerlik of Maryland; her great-grandchildren, Victoria, Angel and Allie Ward, Sebastian Umerlik, Lola, Caroline and Brennan Capp, Kimika and Kiyomi Capp, and Xavier Umerlik; her nieces, Brenda Grubowski, Joyce Gain, Sharon Shipley, Linda Hancock, Pamela Ludwig, Lisa Grubowski, Cindy Katauskas and Carol Ann Katauskas; her nephews, Gary Cawley, Billy Cawley, David Grubowski, Eugene Katauskas, Glenn Katauskas, Butch Martell, and Bob Martell and wife Betty; other relatives including Paul Hammond, Donna M. Pruitt, Bruce J. Hammond, Tom Hammond, Claire Rossini, T. Allen Pruitt, Justin Pruitt, Eric Hammond and Lisa Hammond, Gregory and Megan Pruitt, Kyra and Brianna Gain, Jill and Addyson Manns, Amy and Keegan Haltzner, Colton and Tanner Hancock, Kimberly and Matthew Ludwig, Christina and April Grubowski, Lacey, Lucas and Victoria Grubowski, Cynthia and Evan Katauskas, John William Cawley Jr., David Hilles, and Thea Cavacos; and April and Sean Reeder. She is also remembered by friends Theodore and Kathy Hrycej of Baltimore. She was predeceased by Mildred Cawley, Albert Grubowski, Herman Grubowski, Rita Hammond, Esther Katauskas, and Dorothy Martell. Friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at Connelly Funeral Home in Dundalk. A Mass will begin at 10 a.m. Monday at Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Dundalk.