MANCHESTER, NH – Helen P. Baraniak of Manchester, died January 12, 2018, just weeks following the family’s celebration of her 99th birthday.
Born in Manchester, NH on December 8, 1918, she was the daughter of Mary H. (Drociak) and George Baraniak, and a lifelong resident of the city.
Helen was a graduate of Manchester Central High School, Class of 1936, and attended Hesser College. At the height of its operation, Helen worked at Manchester Air Base (later Grenier Field) for commander Lt. Colonel John Moore. A woman ahead of her time, she then began a long and well-respected career in public accounting, first for Clarence Drayton, CPA, and later for his son and successor, John Drayton, CPA. She capped her career as office manager for Ernst & Young’s Manchester location, and went on to enjoy a busy and productive retirement.
A sharp and strong woman and in many ways the backbone of her family, Helen was admired and appreciated for her culinary talents and her generous hospitality. Devoted to her faith, Helen had been a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish.
Family members include her sister, Frances B. Baraniak, and brother, John R. Baraniak, both of Manchester; her nieces Kristin A. O’Brien, Karen A. DiMartino and Kyle A. Nanna; nephew John R. Baraniak, Jr.; her cousins Ladd Szarek of Washington and Joseph Drociak of California; and a number of close grandnieces and grandnephews.
SERVICES – A calling hour will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Monday, January 15 at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm Street, corner of North Street, Manchester, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday in the Chapel at St. Joseph Cathedral, 145 Lowell St., Manchester. Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to: Catholic Charities New Hampshire, 215 Myrtle St., Manchester, NH 03104. To leave a message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.
