Helen (Citsay) Swida

     Mrs. Helen (Citsay) Swida, 83, a resident of Hanover Township, fell asleep in the Lord the evening of Sunday, November 5th, while in the care of the Lakewood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Sheatown section of Newport Township, following a recent illness.

     Born on Friday, November 24, 1939 in Wilkes-Barre Township, she was the last of thirteen children to the late Charles and Theresa Citsay. 

     Educated in the Wilkes-Barre Township schools, Mrs. Swida was a member of the 1957 graduating class of the former Wilkes-Barre Township High School.

     In her youth, she was employed by the RCA Corporation in Mountain Top.  She later took employment with the Riverstreet Manor in Wilkes-Barre as a nurse's aide.  Most notably, she and her late husband, Mr. Edward Swida Sr., owned and operated Citsay's, later Swida's Tavern on Baby Road in Hanover Township.  It was there her warm personality garnered her a number of friends and regulars over the years. She gave to each of her patrons a motherly, welcoming brand of hospitality.

     Devoted to her eastern Catholic faith, Mrs. Swida was a lifelong member of Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in the Georgetown section of Wilkes-Barre Township.

     Besides bidding farewell to her twelve brothers and sisters over the years, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mr. Edward Swida Sr. on June 30, 1998, and more recently by the couple's daughter, Miss Donna Marie Swida on March 5, 2018.  At the time of Mr. Swida's passing, the couple shared thirty-seven years of married life together.

     Left to cherish her memory are her son, Edward Swida Jr. of Hanover Township; Grandchildren, including Jessica Swida and Ethan Jarrin; Several nieces, nephews.

     Funeral services for Mrs. Swida will be conducted on Saturday, November 11th at 11:00 a.m. having the Office of Christian Burial with Divine Liturgy in Saint John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, 526 Church Street, Wilkes-Barre Township.  The Reverend Mykhaylo Prodanets, pastor, will serve as celebrant and homilist, while Mr. Stephen F. Kozich, assisted by Helen's cousin, Mr. George Daru, will serve as cantors.

     Interment with the Rite of Committal will follow in Holy Assumption of Saint Mary Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Lake Street, Dallas.

     Relatives and friends may join the Swida family for visitation and shared remembrance directly at church Saturday morning from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Liturgy.

     The John V. Morris Family Funeral Home Inc. of Wilkes-Barre is honored to care for Mrs. Swida and her son at this time.  

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