Helen Camuza Parafinczuk, 97, of Orchard Park, NY, died peacefully on January 18th, 2026.

Born in Buffalo, NY, Helen was preceded by her always loving, and always loved, husband of 67 years, Raymond F. Parafinczuk; her parents, Anthony and Mary; two sisters, Francis and Alice and brother, George.

As the quarterback of her family, Helen was a wonderful, supportive mother to her five children and is survived by: Raymond J. Parafinczuk (Debbie) of Mechanicville, NY, Gary A. Parafinczuk (Laurie) of Gainesville, VA, Carol A. McKenica (Rick) of Orchard Park, NY, Susan M. Burns of Saratoga Springs, NY, and Nancy J. Speser (David Hero) of Port Townsend, WA; 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Helen started her career as a secretary at the Electric Building in Buffalo. There she met Adeline Parafinczuk, who introduced Helen to her brother, Raymond. They were married in a big, beautiful Greek ceremony on November 13th, 1949. They settled into their new home on Ellis Drive in West Falls, where they raised their family.

During the early 1970s, Helen worked for Grants in East Aurora and began taking night courses toward her nursing degree. She earned her LPN degree and started working at St. Joseph's Hospital. She went on to graduate with her BS in nursing from Excelsior College and worked for ten years as a registered nurse at the UB Health Center.

Helen loved staying fit and healthy and was a coach's dream. She learned to swim, ski, play tennis and golf and truly embraced the competitive spirit.

After retiring, Helen and Raymond moved to Sarasota, FL, where they enjoyed 10 years of sunny living. They often visited family and friends traveling the US and abroad culminating in a very special trip to Greece where Helen connected with her Greek heritage and relatives.

Helen and Raymond moved back to Western NY in 2005 and spent their remaining years together in Orchard Park.

Friends and family are invited to the F.E Brown Sons Funeral Home, 6575 E. Quaker St., Orchard Park, (AKA Rte. 20A, 1 mile east of Rte. 219), January 29th, from 3-7PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Nativity of Our Lord Church, 26 Thorn Ave., Orchard Park, January 30th, at 11AM. Please assemble at church. Burial will be in Nativity Cemetery.