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Helen (Kuzma) Piggford

Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | July 18, 2023

Helen (Kuzma) Piggford, age 91 of Elizabeth Twp., died peacefully at Jefferson Hospital on Monday, July 17, 2023. She passed away encompassed by the love of friends and family and cared for by her daughter Teresa Mae Buchina of Elizabeth Township and her sons James Wayne Piggford III of Simpsonville, SC, and George Alan Piggford, C.S.C., of North Easton, MA. Helen was born at home on Blaine Hill in Elizabeth Township on April 2nd, 1932, to John Kuzma and Theresa (Czizak), and as an infant she received Baptism, Chrismation, and Holy Communion at Ascension Byzantine Catholic Church in Clairton.

The youngest of six children, Helen attended Wylie School and Elizabeth High School, where she graduated with academic distinction. On July 3, 1951, she married (James) Wayne Piggford, Jr., her life-long love. She traveled with him to his U.S. Navy postings in Key West, FL, and New London, CT, before they settled back on Blaine Hill in 1960. Helen was a tireless worker and made a career at the River Division of Consol Energy, where she retired as a financial analyst after more than twenty-five years. Higher education was not available to her in her younger days, so she was especially pleased to earn an associate degree from Penn State Greater Allegheny.

Helen’s 91-year life was characterized by hard work, commitment to her family and community, and a powerful Catholic faith. She was a den mother for Cub Scouts and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post 7632. She was a CCD teacher and was active for many years in Christian Mothers at St. Michael parish, now Sts. Joachim and Anne. Helen enjoyed crocheting afghans for special occasions, she cooked amazing cabbage rolls, she kept in touch with many people by phone, and she had a particular enthusiasm for keeping her checkbook balanced. Helen was devoted to her husband Wayne. She deeply loved her children Teresa, wife of Steven Buchina; Wayne III, husband of Laura; and George, a Roman Catholic priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross. She adored both of her grandsons, who are U.S. Marines: 2ndLt James Connor, husband of TJ, and LCpl Alexander Ryan. Helen is survived by her brother Peter Kuzma of Republic, Michigan, her brother-in-law James Chomas of Elizabeth Township, and her sister-in-law Helen Louise Wivagg of Forward Township.

Her siblings John Kuzma, Charles Kuzma, Mary Zaken, and Anna Knezovich have already passed away. Helen cared for her many cousins, nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, and even great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews. She prayed for us all. Helen was thankful that her parents emigrated from Imstychovo, Ukraine, to raise their family on Blaine Hill. To family, friends, her children’s friends, neighbors, Holy Cross priests and brothers, and many others she showed a love that was patient, kind, fierce, and unconditional. Friends will be received at the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, 221 North Second Avenue, Elizabeth, PA 15037, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM on Thursday, July 20, 2023. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Friday, July 21, 2023 with her son, Fr. George Piggford presiding and Fr. Thomas Wagner concelebrating. Burial will follow at Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. The family recommends donations in the name of Helen Kuzma Piggford to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://www.stjude.org) and Heart of the Nation Catholic Mass (https://www.heartofthenation.org/donate/donate-online). Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com

Originally published July 18, 2023.

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