Helen Mary Semenuk was a resident of Falls Church and member of St. James Church for 63 years. She was born in Detroit, Mich, of Polish immigrant parents and was fluent in both Polish and English.
While in Detroit, she married her now deceased husband William Wesley and bore her son William Philip, and oldest daughter, Helen M. Maleady. Helen worked in Detroit as a medical stenographer at Parke Davis. The family moved to Bethlehem, Pa., where Helen bore her youngest daughter Cathy Pardee. The family moved to Falls Church in 1952, where Helen’s husband Bill became the local Dodge car dealer and Helen became a licensed real estate broker. Helen was a regular blood donor and volunteer with the “Friendly Visitor” program in Fairfax County. She was an avid gardener beautifying her Falls Church neighborhood with prolific flowers and trees. Helen also enjoyed walking portions of the Appalachian trail with her neighbor and in her eighties, Helen took up piano lessons. She was also an avid poker and bridge player, once winning a local tournament. In her nineties Helen was a beloved participant at the Lewinsville Senior Center.
Helen was an exceptionally tolerant and forgiving person. Often she would say “Live and let live.” Always turning the other cheek she would say “Forgive and forget.” Never angry or revengeful she often said “Just let it go, tomorrow’s a new day.”
Helen is survived by her 3 children, their spouses, four grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
There will be a memorial service for Helen on April 9, at 11 a.m. at St. Luke’s Church, 1101 Bay Ridge Ave., Annapolis, Md. St Luke’s can be reached from Falls Church by taking I-495 S and US-50 E to MD-665 E, to Forest Drive, then left onto Hilltop Lane, to Tyler Avenue to Bay Ridge Avenue.
For further information call 240-429-5515.