Nishenko

We mourn the unexpected passing on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022, of our beloved Helen Nishenko, daughter of Anna and Peter Polian and wife of Andrew Nishenko. Helen passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 99 years, just short of her goal of 100 years.

Helen was born Oct. 18, 1922, in Butler, and lived with her family in New York City for more than 50 years. She was the oldest of two daughters and spent a happy childhood commuting between the city and her grandparent’s farm in Highfield, Pa.

Helen was like her parents, responsible and willing to help, even as a young child. She had an inquisitive mind and an infectious smile and laugh that all enjoyed.

During the 1940s, Helen worked on Wall Street. She met Andy after the war, and they were married at St. Mark’s Church in the Bowery in January 1949. They had a son, Stuart, and lived in New York City until 1985, when she and Andy moved to northeastern Pennsylvania, where they spent many happy years in their dream house near Beach Lake.

After Andy passed away in 2006, Helen came west to Redwood City, Calif., and lived with her son, Stuart, and his partner, Karen Keefer.

Helen was a regular at the senior citizens center and is missed by her exercise class.

Helen is survived by her son, Stuart; and her sister, Nita Rydell.

If you’d like to honor Helen Nishenko, you may send a donation to Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.