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May Helen (O’Connor) Schwemle

May Helen (O’Connor) Schwemle, 96, Altoona, died peacefully June 26, 2013, at home.

She was born in Buffalo, N.Y., daughter of William and Barbara Marie (Herget) O’Connor. She was the beloved wife of Luther W. Schwemle, whom she married on Jan. 2, 1952, in Central Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, and who preceded her in death on May 17, 1990.

She was the dear mother of Mary Lou, Barbara and John and is also survived by three nephews: Cameron H., Roderick G. and Robert C. O’Connor.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Leona M.; and three brothers: William, Roderick S. and Walter H.

Helen was a member of Broad Avenue (now Providence) Presbyterian Church, where she had served as a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. When her children were young, she served as a Girl Scout leader and Boy Scout den mother and was active in the parent-teacher associations at the former Curtin Elementary School. She was active in the Band Parents Association when her children were in the Roosevelt Junior High School Band and the Gardner Guards Drum Corps.

Helen loved working with flowers and enjoyed drawing. She was a constant and loving caregiver to her husband and many family members who preceded her in death.

In her later years, Helen enjoyed seeing her dear neighbor children, Kendyl and Perry, and her life was immeasurably enhanced and enriched under the ever-watchful and loving care of Dr. Anthony J. Maniglia and Dr. U. Fusun Cardakli, hospice aide Sue Naugle, dear friends Edie and Jim Lowe and Diana Fasick, and most especially her son, John.

A private funeral service was held Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at Dengler Roberts Perna Funeral Home in Buffalo, N.Y., with careful assistance from The Good Funeral Home Inc., Alto-Reste Park Cemetery. Interment was held in the family plot at Elmlawn Cemetery. Flowers are gratefully declined.