Obituary of Helen S. Wagner

    Mrs. Helen S. Wagner, 103 years old, a resident of Acacia Village, Utica, formerly of Kellogg Ave., passed away on Thursday, August 17, 2023, with her loving son Vincent at her side.

     Helen was born in Utica, NY March 31, 1920, the daughter of Michael and Genevieve (Sidelko) Ostrouch. She was raised and educated in Holy Trinity school and Utica Free Academy and obtained her BA in Fine Arts degree from Utica Collage in 1993. On Thanksgiving Day, November 21, 1940, in St. Joseph’s Church in Utica, Helen was married to John “Ralph” Wagner. Ralph, her devoted husband, passed away on February 26, 2005. She was a former member of Ladies of Charity serving as treasurer for a number of years, along with being a loving housewife and mother. Helen was active in local charitable organizations and taught craft workshops.

     Helen fondly remembered many summers spent at the family camp on Echo Lake where family and friends came together to enjoy the cool water and summer breezes along with the great food prepared on the outside grill. A special treat was the “Polish Fireworks” enjoyed at the 4^th of July get-togethers.  

     Helen is survived by her Sister Mary Baranowski. She is also survived by three children and their spouses. John R. Wagner, Jr and his wife Judit of Rochester, NY, Pepper Kaye, and her husband John A. Kaye of Freehold, NJ and Vincent O. Wagner and his wife Nancy of Indianapolis Indiana; her five grandchildren Maria Wagner and her husband Christopher Cook, Monica Wagner and her husband Eric Beauchamp, Lisa Kaye and her husband Keith Buttafuoco, Roxanne Kaye and her husband Stanley Paylago and John Andrew Kaye, Jr. Her five great-grandchildren, Julia Reiley Wagner-Beauchamp, Daniel Buttafuoco. Grant Paylago, Eve Paylago and Cooper Paylago. She also leaves a number of nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, Helen was predeceased by one brother: Felix and four sisters, Agnes, Sophie, Leona, and Celia.

     Helen’s family would like to make a special thank you to the Daughter for Hire staff, Paris, Grace, Amanda and Shirley for their attentive companionship and to the staff of Steps of Grace Caregivers and Choice One Home Care for their compassionate care during her final months.  

     Mrs. Wagner's funeral will be held Friday September 15, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph-St. Patrick Church, Utica, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Her burial will take place in Boonville Cemetery, Booneville, NY. Calling hours at the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica, will be held Thursday September 14, 2023 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Donations in Helen's memory would be appreciated to Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen, 702 Columbia St., Utica, NY 13502. [https://mmwsk.org/]