Helen Muha

MUHA- Helen Podolka; On Thursday, January 21 2021, Helen Podolka Muha, loving mother of five children, 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren, passed away at the age of 98. Helen was born on May 28, 1922 in Johnstown, PA to Valentine and Maryanna (Galka) Podolka. Polish was the language spoken at home and she has always been proud of her heritage. Helen learned English when she entered first grade. She graduated with honors from Johnstown High School after completing courses that are now considered college-level. Throughout high school, Helen worked 5:00 p.m. to midnight every day and did all her studying riding the Traction Company trolley to school. On August 8, 1944, she married Carl Rudolph Muha. In their home In Ferndale, where she lived for over 70 years, they raised three daughters, Mary Frances, Barbara Ann, and Susan Marie, and two sons, Carl Rudolph, Jr. and James John. After graduating high school, Helen secured her first position as the executive secretary to the president of Sanitary Dairy and while working for the dairy she was the poster girl on a billboard for the dairy…telling this story and others always made her laugh. Helen frequently worked as a bookkeeper for other companies and banks across the city but made sure she was mother first to her children. During her work-life and her volunteer-life Helen always made friends along the way…many of whom will mourn her as much as her family does at this time. She was proud of her time as a student loan officer for Johnstown Bank & Trust until her retirement. Helen could not stay home for long after retirement and took a part-time position working for Workers Compensation Bureau into her seventies. She was an avid volunteer from a young age into her nineties. Helen and her husband, Carl, are founding members of St. Andrew Catholic Church where she was a longstanding member of the Ladies Guild. She was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary. Helen was proud to say that she crocheted over 100 afghans for all members of her family. She was an avid reader and loved doing all the puzzles in the Johnstown-Tribune even at 98 years old. Helen is known and will be remembered for her kindness and compassionate spirit. Helen was proceeded in death by her husband, Carl, her father, Valentine, her mother, Maryanna, her siblings Stella, Frank, Michael, Walter, and John, and her granddaughter, Jessica Lynn. She is survived by her five children, Mary and spouse David, Barbara and spouse William (Fred), Carl and spouse Antoinette (Toni), James and spouse Justine (Tina), and Susan and partner Michael, and her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Helen will be missed as she was a blessing to us all. A receiving of friends will be held Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 10:00 until time of funeral mass at 11:00 at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1621 Ferndale Ave, Johnstown, PA 15905. Donations may be sent to St. Andrew Catholic Church Bell Tower Fund. John Henderson Co. Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.hendersonfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen Muha, please visit our floral store.