Portville- Helen E. Kwiatkowski Watson

 Helen E. Kwiatkowski Watson passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at her daughters home. 

 Helen was born on July 7, 1943 in Franklinville.  The daughter of Edward M. and Dorothy M. Fothergill Kwiatkowski.  At the age of two, Helen’s parents moved to Anderson Road where she would reside her entire life. 

 On June 5, 1965, she was married in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church to her former husband, James A. Watson of Olean.  She was married 25 years to James.  Together they had three children: Laurie, Wendy and James Jr. 

 Helen graduated from Portville Central School class of 1961; St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1962, receiving her NYS nursing license in that year.  She also attended Olean Business Institute.   During Helen’s life she was honored with the Betty Crocker Award; The Florence Nightingale Award, and The Every Women Opportunity Achievement Award presented to her by Senator Pat McGee.

 Helen worked at Cuba Lake concession stand in the 1960s; St. Francis Hospital; AM and A’s; Olean Medical Group; Cattaraugus County (Job Training Program) and retired from the Cattaraugus County Health Department, (NYS Early Intervention Program) after 21 years of service.  Helen was a stay-at-home mom for 25 years while raising her family.

 Highlights of Helen’s life were her family, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.   Helen lived a simple and humble life.   No TV, internet, or frills.  She enjoyed yard sale finds throughout her life.  She enjoyed making each family member their own Afghan.  She loved to bake desserts and make her family’s favorite (Sloppy Joe’s).  Christmas was her favorite holiday with the love and the joy of the season always gifting her family homemade gifts.  She worked tirelessly on her family’s history, adding new pictures and information continually.  Even locating pictures of the ships that brought her grandparents to America from England and Poland.  

 Our mom was proud that she never drank an alcoholic beverage or smoked a cigarette in her lifetime and did not swear so was not allowed by anyone visiting our home.   These rules were enforced by both of our parents. 

 Helen is survived by; 3 children, Laurie Watson of Olean, James A. (Tammy) Watson Jr. of Shinglehouse, PA and Wendy (John) Watson Rajeh of Long Island; 3 grandchildren, Abriana (Nik) McCready Cowles of Olean, Caleb Watson of Shinglehouse, PA and Samantha (Bryce) Rajeh of Rochester; 4 great-grandchildren, Michael, Sophia, Terra and Nathan Cowels all of Olean.

 Helen was predeceased by; her parents; brother, Edward “Mike” Kwiatkowski Jr. (2018); great-granddaughter, Lilly Cowles (2020); grandson, Michael Postal, USMC, active duty (Iraq) (2005); Laurie’s fiancé, Jim Bennett (2022); ex-husband, James A. Watson (2018) also over 48 aunts, uncles and many cousins.

Friends will be received at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., on Monday, June 17, 2024 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.   Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 beginning with a prayer service at 9:30am at the funeral home following a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Portville.  The Rev. Peter Bassey will officiate.  Burial will be in Chestnut Hill Cemetery.   Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com