Helen M. Hiris Kropf, 85, a resident of Julia Ribaudo Extended Care Center, Lake Ariel and formerly of Hawley, died Friday, January 20, 2012.  Helen was the first-born child of John and Helen Koenig Hiris.  Of Gottscheer descent, she was born in Brooklyn, NY, on March 2, 1926.  She attended St. Barbara's Catholic School and graduated valedictorian from Bushwick High School, class of January 1944.  After graduation, she was employed as assistant teller at the Lincoln Savings Bank, Brooklyn. 

  She met her husband, Fred Kropf, Jr., in August 1946 while vacationing at Kropf's boarding house outside of Hawley, PA.  He was home on leave from the US Navy.  They married June 18, 1950, and were married for 53 years when he died in January 2004.  In addition to helping at the boarding house until 1970, Helen was very active in the Queen of Peace Catholic Church.  She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and the Third Order of Franciscans.  She was known for her wonderful baked goods especially her holiday nut breads, strudels, and coffee cake.  Helen also had the knack of remembering people's names and birthdates.  She had a passion for gardening, both vegetable and flower, and a talent for art, writing, storytelling, and penmanship which has been passed on to her children and grandchildren.  Her pastimes included playing Scrabble, watching Jeopardy and the EWTN network.

   Helen is survived by her five daughters:  Maria McDonnell and husband, Tom, Lake Ariel;  Helen Winkelblech, Hawley;  Stephanie Gilbert and husband, Rich, Beach Lake; Margaret Gocek and husband, Louis, Peckville; and Diana Byers and husband, Ken, Hawley; and by her brother, Frederick J. Hiris, Hawley.   Affectionately known as "Ba," she also leaves behind her grandchildren:  Ronald Weinberger, Richard and Christine Weinberger, and Robert Weinberger, Honesdale; Brian Winkelblech, Quakertown, PA; Douglas Dillmuth, Golden, CO;  Sarah and Simon Marjane, Washington, DC; Brenda and Joe Carovinci, Dickson City; Matthew and Brenda Gocek, Peckville; Bruce and Ayako Volpe, Astoria, NY; Nicholas Volpe and Kira Volpe, Hawley.  Helen is blessed with six great-grandchildren:  Dakota Monroe, JJ and Luka Carovinci, Jocelyn and Talan Gocek, and Sami Marjane.

She was pre-deceased by her husband, Fred; her brother, John W. Hiris; and her granddaughter, Christina Dillmuth.

Helen’s steadfast faith in God, love, kindness, and compassion are a testimony to her life and the legacy that she hands down to her family and all who knew her.

Much gratitude and appreciation goes to the staff of Julia Ribaudo Extended Care Center, Dr. Patrick Murnin, and Fr. Michael Finn, pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Church for the skilled, compassionate, spiritual, and loving care they provided during these past five years.

Calling hours will be Friday, January 27th from 4 PM to 7 PM at Teeters' East Chapel, 505 Church St, Hawley, PA.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, January 28th at 10 AM at BVM Queen Of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 314 Chestnut Ave, Hawley  by Rev. Michael Finn.

Burial will be in B.V.M. Queen Of Peace Cemetery, Hawley.