Helen Patricia Palko, 1107 Roemer Blvd., Farrell, passed away unexpectedly of natural causes at 11:40 a.m. Thursday (11-24-11) in the hospital of the Sharon Regional Health System after a brief illness. She was 83.

Mrs. Palko was born November 14, 1928 in Farrell a daughter of the late George and Anna Dydak Valent.

A lifelong area resident, she attended Brookfield High School and then worked as a postmistress at the Brookfield Post Office.

She married John L. Palko on August 22, 1953 in the former St. Ann Church, Farrell, and together they raised three sons, whom she was extremely proud.

Helen was a homemaker and a member of Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell. She volunteered for many years at the Prince of Peace Center, Farrell, and enjoyed shopping and going to garage sales. She was a diehard Pittsburgh Steeler fan and looked forward to watching them on television. Her favorite players were Big Ben and Troy Polamalu. She also loved animals, particularly her sons golden retriever, Jack. Helen was very devoted to her family and they will remember her for her kindness, gentleness, loving heart and forgiving ways. She was much loved and will be dearly missed.

Surviving are: her husband of 58 years who loved her dearly, John Palko; three sons, Brian John Palko and his wife Donna, Grove City, PA; John Kevin Palko, Aliquippa, PA; and Gary Michael Palko, Farrell; a grandson, Jacob Palko, whom she absolutely adored; a sister-in-law, Marlene Cerbus, Hermitage, whom she and her husband raised; a brother, George Valent and his wife Danielle, Vienna, Ohio; three sisters, Sue Bouslaugh, Brookfield; Rose Johnson and her husband Jerry, Warrenton, VA; and Julie Chaky and her husband Joseph, Warren, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides her parents, Helen was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Koenig and her husband Joseph; and a brother-in-law, Buzz Bouslaugh.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Prince of Peace Center, 502 Darr Ave., Farrell, PA 16121.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 Tuesday (11-29-11) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc, 1090 E. State St. Sharon.

Friends may email condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (11-30-11) in Our Lady of Fatima-St. Ann Church, Farrell, with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant. A prayer service will be held at 9:45 a.m. in the funeral home before leaving for the church.

Interment: St. Ann Cemetery, Hermitage.