Helen Chalan Molnar, 96, a longtime resident of Tyrone, sadly left us on November 27 at Garvey Manor

in Hollidaysburg, PA.

She was born on March 15, 1928, in South Fork, PA, the daughter of the late Michael and Rose (Nimitz)

Chalan.

She was a 1945 graduate of Wilmore High School where she earned the academic title of salutatorian.

She was involved in many school activities including cheerleading.

On July 30, 1948, in Wilmore, PA, she married the love of her life, John F. Molnar, with whom you would

often see holding hands when walking anywhere. Excited to start their new life, they moved to Tyrone in

1949. Together, they built a successful business, Molnar’s Jewelry. The business served the community

for 48 years.

Family was the center of her life. She welcomed both family and friends into her home where they could

count on good conversation and wonderful meals, often ethnic dishes from the family’s Slavic and

Hungarian heritage.

Helen was an involved member of St. Matthew Catholic Church. As a cantor, she led the congregation in

song with her beautiful voice. She was an active member of Catholic Daughters of America. She

embraced the principle of faith working through love in the promotion of justice, equality and the

advancement of human rights and dignity for all.

Helen had a passion for sewing and was a skilled seamstress. Using this enthusiasm, she became a

major force behind her church’s bazaar, where she handcrafted many items to sell. Her signature

Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls can be found today in the homes of many of the bazaar’s patrons. Her

church often called upon her to design their liturgical banners. In later years, her booth and goods were

a popular stop at Harvest Fest.

Helen was also a dynamic affiliate of the Tyrone Service League and held several offices, including

president. She was committed to improving the community through positive action and leadership. She

was instrumental in organizing fundraisers to benefit the community and providing scholarships for area

high school graduates.

She spent her later years at Garvey Manor in Hollidaysburg, PA. Her faith was her guide. Her smile

shone when sharing life stories with the Carmelite Sisters, attending daily mass or praying her rosary.

Never losing her love of sewing and helping others she mended clothes, and made walker caddies for

the residences while there.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, John F. Molnar. Siblings, Eva, Andy, Mary Ryko, John, Ann Gideos, Pete, and Sophie Lewis. Son-in-law, Robert Grinarml. She is survived by her children, Sandi Grinarml, John (Vicki) Molnar, Carol (Mike) Wojda, Robert (Kathy) Molnar, Sue (Robyn) Bullman and Lisa Spangler and 13 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. Siblings, Eveyln Cotchen, Pearl Borlie, Frank (Jean) Chalan, Margaret Kowalski and Pauline (Nick) Minor.

A 1 pm Mass of Celebration for Helen Chalan Molnar will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024,

at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Tyrone with Father Michael Pleva officiating. Friends will be received from 3-6 pm on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at Feller Memorial Home as well as on Friday from noon until the 1 pm mass at St. Matthew Catholic Church. Interment will be made at Oak Grove Cemetery following the mass.