Helen Anne (Budnick) Schratz

On Tuesday, April 3, 2018, Helen B. Schratz passed peacefully at the age of 94.

Daughter of Peter and Anna Budnick; beloved wife of 64 years to the late Walter Alfred Schratz; loving mother of Cheryl Ann Schratz Finlay, Walter Wayne Schratz (Jacqueline Rose Goeller), and Caryl Susan Schratz; sister of Normajane Budnick and the late Dr. Veronica Budnick, grandmother of James Walter Finlay (Chelsea Erin Cox), Alyson Anne Schratz, Andrew William Finlay, Jon Micah Goeller, Alexander Wayne Schratz, Courtney Marie Schratz, Christian Peter Schratz, Lucas John Schratz, Samara Rose Schratz, Greta Mary Schratz, Veronica Ida Schratz, Noah Walter Schratz and Eliot Richard Schratz.

A graduate of McKeesport High School, Helen pursued her passion and entered Columbia School of Nursing, through the Army Nurse Corps program, where she obtained her registered nursing degree. She worked at Columbia Hospital as an operating room nurse for several years. She continued her studies at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pennsylvania. After her marriage to Walter, Helen devoted herself to the raising of their three children. Helen was very active in a number of volunteer and service organizations over the years. She was a volunteer Girl Scout nurse, a member of the Garden Club of Forest Hills and an auxiliary member with the Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Services of Pittsburgh. Additionally, she received an award for more than 1,000 hours of service at Columbia Hospital. She was also awarded a certificate of achievement for fifty years of faithful service as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Corinth Chapter #229. Helen was an active and devoted member of Hope Lutheran Church, serving on several committees, teaching Sunday school and was the first woman church council president.

As a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Helen enjoyed spending time with her family, especially summer vacations at the Outer Banks.  She and Walter traveled to Europe several times and to Alaska and Hawaii. She was an ardent lifelong reader, who especially enjoyed thriller and mystery novels. She was passionate about her flower and vegetable gardens. Helen was an expert seamstress, who also enjoyed knitting and painting. She embraced her Polish/Ukrainian heritage in the food she lovingly prepared for her family, especially during the holidays.

Helen was a lifelong resident of Forest Hills. Friends will be received on Sunday from 1-3 pm and 5-7 pm at WOLFE MEMORIAL, Forest Hills Chapel, 3604 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA  15221. Funeral Service will be held on Monday at 10:00 am, Hope Lutheran Church, 353 Ridge Avenue at Braddock Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. Everyone please meet at church. Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church of Forest Hills.

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