Helen E. Swank

Helen E. (Garraway) Swank, age 86, formerly of West Main Street, Bloomsburg, died Sunday evening, May 16, 2021, at the Bloomsburg Care and Rehabilitation Center where she resided since Feb. 7, 2020.

Born in Frackville on May 13, 1935, she was a daughter of the late Elwood A. and Helen R. (Boxer) Garraway. She was a graduate of the former Butler Township High School in 1953 and of the former Ashland State Hospital School of Nursing in 1956.

Helen was employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare as a nurse inspector of the care team. She also was employed by the Danville State Hospital, Bloomsburg Hospital and Geisinger Medical Center as a Registered Nurse. She retired in February, 1998.

She was the first female chairperson of the Board of the North Central Chapter of the American Heart Association and the first chairperson to serve two terms. She taught CPR in the community. In her spare time, she enjoyed spending time with her family and attending luncheons with the retired employees of the Bloomsburg Hospital: Larry and Delores, Barbara, Verda, Joannie, Helen, Bill Rovito, Terry Stewart and Joyce Keller.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers: Elwood A. Garraway, Jr.; Robert Garraway; John Garraway; and a nephew Brian Garraway.

Helen is survived by four children: Laurie A. Swank, Bloomsburg; Thomas M. Swank and his wife Tassy, Bloomsburg; Suzanne M. wife of Bruce Lesher, Milton, Fla.; Richard Swank, and his wife Bee, Monaca; seven grandchildren: Heather, Shawna, Eric, Stephanie, Dustin, Zachary and Samantha; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers: Thomas Garraway and his wife Carla, Huntington, Md. and William Garraway and his wife Shirley, Bloomsburg; two sisters: Eleanor M., wife of Robert Wise, Denver, Colo. and Mary Ann, wife of Joseph Hassel, Bloomsburg and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Danville at a future time.

Memorials may be sent to Commonwealth Home Health & Hospice, 1409 N. Market St., Suite 201, Berwick, PA 18603.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & cremation Service, 325 Market Street, Bloomsburg.