HOLYOKE – Helen M. (Kiesnowski) Jonaitis, age 97, (1921-2018) formerly of Westfield and Easthampton, died on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at the Mount Saint Vincent Nursing Care Center in Holyoke. Helen was a resident of East Village Place in East Longmeadow. She was born in Westfield on February 21, 1921 and was the daughter of Valerian and Anna (Ostrega) Kiesnowski. Helen was raised and educated in Westfield and graduated from Westfield High School with the class of 1939. She worked for the Stanley Home Products of Westfield as a secretary for many years until her retirement. She was married on May 18, 1946 to Anthony Peter Jonaitis and they celebrated a beautiful life together until his death. Together, Anthony and Helen moved to Easthampton in 1980 and were active members of the community and communicants of the Immaculate Conception Parish/Our Lady of the Valley Parish. It is here that Helen served as a Eucharistic Minister, member of the Holy Rosary Sodality, Alter Society and member of the Women’s Club. She loved traveling, cooking and bowling.
Helen was a devoted and loving mother of Mary Ann Jonaitis of Tuckahoe, NY, Jeffery M. Jonaitis and his wife Claudia of Dublin, PA, Michael A. Jonaitis of Tuchahoe, NY, seven cherished grandchildren; Judy Duff, Leigh Jonaitis, Daniel Jonaitis, Sean Jonaitis, Eileen Quigley, Laura Quigley, David Quigley and six adored great grandchildren; Abigail, Nathaniel, Johan, Anya, Avery and Ashley and several nieces and nephews. Along with being predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Anthony Peter Jonaitis in 2007 and her son, Philip A. Jonaitis in 2008, she was predeceased by two brothers; Valerian Kiesnowski Jr, Anthony Kiesnowski and three sisters; Wanda Zuzgo, Josephine Midura, Frances Martin.
A Funeral Liturgy of Christian Burial for Helen will be held on Friday, August 17, 2018 at 11 AM at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, 33 Adams Street, Easthampton with burial to follow at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Westfield. Family will receive friends at the Graham Funeral Home, 18 Adams St. in Easthampton from 9:45-10:30 AM on Friday morning. Please visit rwgrahamfuneralhome.com for services and online condolences. Memorials in her memory are requested to: Our Lady of the Valley Parish, C/O Beautification Fund, 33 Adams Street, Easthampton, MA 01027.
