Helen Lucille Labowski
Helen Lucille Labowski passed away at Hospice of North Idaho on Oct. 16, 2016, with her two daughters at her side.
A celebration of her life will be at the Sandpoint First Presbyterian Church, 417 N. Fourth Ave., on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 12:30 p.m. with Pastor Andy Kennaly officiating.
Helen was born in Trenton, N.J., on Sept 29, 1924, to Steven and Esther Sinchak. Helen has one sister, Marjorie, and the family of four moved to Montana in 1932.
When Helen was 14, the family moved to Sandpoint, Idaho, where Helen attended high school and graduated in 1942. She attended Northwestern Business College in Spokane, Wash., and graduated in 1943.
Helen married Robert Melior and they raised two daughters, Robin and Holly. The couple owned Sand-point Cleaners for 16 years.
Helen had various jobs in Sandpoint. She was the receptionist at the medical clinic, the secretary for the Bonner County Extension agent and finished her career after 25 years working for the Kaniksu Forest Service as human resource director.
In 1981, Helen married Julius Labowski. They enjoyed traveling, playing golf and spending time with family in Kennewick, Wash., and being with their church family at the Presbyterian Church in Sandpoint.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Steven and Esther Sinchak; and her husband, Julius.
She is survived by her sister, Marjorie Johnson of Spokane; her daughters, Robin Bernhardt (Ray Aughey) of Clarkia, Idaho, and Holly Quesenberry (Gordon) of Kennewick, Wash.; a stepdaughter, Joanne Lupex of New Jersey; five g Grandchildren, Brent Strecker (Karen), Kami Norling (Jeff), Lisa Gallegos(Joe), Angela George, all of Tri-Cities, Wash., and Robert Buck (Karla) of Potlatch, Idaho; her great-grandchildren, Carly Wilder (William), Jessi Strecker, Jenna George, Alexander Gallegos, Brian Bowe (Courtney) , Kendal Bowe, Corbin, Chalee and Caden Buck, and the Norling children.
Helen’s family was very important to her and she spent all holidays and birthdays with them even though they lived a few hours away. Helen cherished her friends in Sandpoint … bridge friends, Luther Park Friends, church friends, and many others … you were all her “other family” and so important to her.
The family suggests memorials be given to the Sandpoint Area Senior Center or the Bonner Community Food Bank.
Family and friends are invited to sign Helen’s online guestbook at www.coffletfuneral.com.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.