Helen Marie (Kaduk) Ciavarra

Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | December 31, 2023

Helen Marie (Kaduk) Ciavarra, age 96 formerly of Elizabeth Twp., passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023. She was born on December 31, 1926, in Glassport and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret (Janitor) Kaduk. She was the second youngest of eight (8) children and attended Holy Trinity School in McKeesport. After attending school, Helen went to work at National Tube in McKeesport. While waiting for the bus to return home from work, she met her future husband Frank Ciavarra. They were married on February 2, 1947, in Holy Trinity Church. Together they had three daughters Valerie Flizanes (Gust) of Irwin, Fran Kos (Paul) of Trafford, Gerri Payne (Denis) of North Huntingdon, and a son Eugene Ciavarra of Mt. Lebanon.

Helen belonged to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (the former St. Perpetua’s) where she was an active member of the Christian Mothers. She was also active in the Palenese Women’s Club, an Italian social organization founded by people from Palena, Italy where her husband Frank was born. Helen loved the color red, plants and flowers, and dancing. To say she loved to dance is an understatement—she was always the first one on the dance floor and the last one to leave the dance floor.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband Frank, her grandson Eric Kos, and all her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her children, her eight  grandchildren, her ten great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

Friends will be received in the Daniel F. Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory, 4504 Walnut St., Versailles Borough, McKeesport, PA 15132 (412-678-3454) on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 3 PM to 7 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 10 AM in Mary, Mother of God Parish, St. Patrick’s Church. Procession and burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, North Versailles.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Helen’s name to the Parish or to a charity of your choice.  www.bekavacfuneralhome.com 

Originally published December 31, 2023.

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