Helen Anne Brennan, 89, of Pottsville, passed away peacefully on April 7th, 2026, in the arms of her daughter and best friend, Sherry, with whom she resided with for the past decade.

Born in Minersville, on October 5, 1936, Helen was the daughter of the late William and Constance (Buchinsky) Stefanoski. Her life of service began at the tender age of 14; following her mother’s passing, Helen left school to raise her younger siblings—whom she affectionately called her "first set of kids." On June 22, 1957, Helen married Edward J. Brennan, Sr., beginning a 58-year journey that took them across the globe as a military family. Whether traveling solo to Japan with two toddlers or managing the household while Edward was stationed away, Helen was the bedrock of her family.

She later modeled the importance of lifelong learning by earning her GED and fulfilling her dream of becoming a nurse, graduating as an LPN in 1978. She dedicated 20 years of compassionate care to patients at the former Good Samaritan Hospital in Pottsville.

Helen was a woman of many talents. A gifted soloist, she shared her voice at weddings, several church choirs and with the Polish Choraliers. She was a master of crochet and a certified teacher of Ikebana (Japanese flower arranging). Even during her 18-year battle with Alzheimer’s, her music remained, and she continued to sing beautifully until the end. Above all, Helen was a "mom's mom." She turned simple car rides into "Tommy Naza" adventures (trips "there and back" )for ice cream and welcomed every neighborhood child and cousins who summered in Pottsville, into her home.

She lived by the mantra, "We are not here to judge—only God can do that," offering an open heart to everyone she met.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward (2016); her son, Edward J. Brennan, Jr. (2007); and her brother, William Stefanski, Jr. (2012).

Helen is survived by her daughter, Sherrill Brennan Alonge, son in-law Robert Alonge; grandson, Eddie Brennan (companion Ashley Schappe); sister, Arlene Sibbett and brother-in-law Charlie, and by several nieces and nephews

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday April 14th at 10am at St. Patrick’s Church in Pottsville. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a viewing on Monday evening, April 13th, from 6-8 PM at the Schjlitzer Allen Pugh Funeral Home, 515 West Market Street, Pottsville, and again on Tuesday morning from 9am until the time of the Mass at the church. Helen will be laid to rest alongside her husband Edward at the Calvary Cemetery, immediately following the services.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations in Helen's memory are asked to be made to a local non-profit that Sherry is involved in and very passionate about, Volunteers In Medicine, 1 South 2nd St Pottsville, PA 17901, or visit www.vimscc.org

You may leave an online condolence at www.schlitzerallenpugh.com