Matushka Helen Donovan

Mrs. Helen Donovan, 83, wife of the Very Rev. Daniel Donovan, rector of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church here, fell asleep in the Lord at the Altoona Regional Health System, Bon Secours Hospital Campus here, on Monday, February 20, 2006.

The daughter of the late George and Mary [Pavlik] Stropko, Matushka Helen was born on December 2, 1922 in Johnstown, PA. Together with Father Daniel, she faithfully served parishes in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, and was especially involved in religious education ministries.

She is survived by her husband, Father Daniel; three daughters: Faith Johnson, and her husband, the Very Rev. George, of Johnstown; Elaine Hirschberg, and her husband, James, of Port Washington, NY; and Catherine Dixon, and her husband, Michael, of Fairfax, VA.; and six grandchildren: Benjamin and Marina Johnson; Christopher and Melanie Hirschberg; and Andrew and Aaron Dixon

Visitation will be held at the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist Church, 420 Laura St., Philipsburg, PA, from 2:00-9:00 p.m. on Wednesday February 22. A Memorial will be celebrated at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, followed by a luncheon in the parish hall. Interment will follow at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Cemetery, South Canaan, PA.

Memorial offerings may be made in lieu of flowers to Holy Myrrhbearer’s Monastery, 144 Bert Washburn Road, Otego, NY 13825-2265 or Holy Transfiguration Monastery, 321 Monastery Lane, Ellwood City, PA 16117-9719. On-line condolences may be e-mailed to beezerheathfh@iqnetsys.net.

May Matushka Helen’s memory be eternal!