Helen E. Swistak

Helen E. Swistak, 91, a retired Registered Nurse of Newport RI, passed away on September 12, 2012. She was the wife of Walter Swistak for 69 years. She was born in Natick, MA, the daughter of Charles H. and Ruth Pickett and step-daughter of Marion Pickett. A graduate of St. Luke's Hospital, New Bedford MA in 1942, she practiced her profession at St. Luke's Hospital, Newport Hospital, in addition to private duty nursing for 30 years.She attended the First Presbyterian Church of Newport serving as a Deacon for many years, and was member of the Naomi Circle and the Quilting Group which raised money for the Missions.Helen loved flowers, was skilled in sewing and fine needlework, loved to travel and enjoyed the beauty of Aquidneck Island and the area beaches. She was proud of her 5 children, 15 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, and enjoyed their many talents and accomplishments.Besides her husband Walter, she leaves 3 sons; Christopher and his wife Laurie of Newport, Mark and his wife Deborah of Jamestown, and Michael and his wife Paula also of Jamestown, RI; two daughters, Susan McWeeney of Middletown and Sally Swistak and her companion Ron Ford of Newport. Her brothers were the late Charles R. Pickett of Hudson FL, and Robert C. Pickett of Fairhaven MA. The fifteen grandchildren include Julie Maloney, Meredith Day, Laura Swistak, Michelle Chessin, Katherine Moniz, Christopher, Brian, Patrick, Mark, Matthew and Noah Swistak, and Ethan, Michael and Matthew Richardson and Jason Oakley. The 23 great grandchildren include Ryan, Brett, Evan and Kate Maloney, Emma, Christopher III and Avery Swistak, Elizabeth, John and Abigail Day, Sydney, Madeleine, Colin and Connor Chessin, Mark III and Cameron Swistak, Chase Moniz, Colton Swistak and Olivia Swistak, Jackson and Dahlia Richardson, and Cody Field and Tyler Boiani.Calling hours will be held at the Memorial Funeral Home at 375 Broadway, Newport RI on Sunday, September 16, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The funeral service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Newport, 4 Everett Street on Monday, September 17 at 10:00 am.In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation, 249 Roosevelt Ave, Suite 201, Pawtucket RI 02860 or to Susan G. Komen For The Cure, Attn: Donor Services, PO Box 650309, Dallas TX 75265-0309. Cemetery Details RI Veteran's Memorial Cemetery Exeter, RI, Visitation SEP 16. 04:00 PM - 07:00 PM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com Service SEP 17. 10:00 AM First Presbyterian Church Broadway and Everett Street Newport, RI, US