Helen (Hurley) Broadbent, 79, of Epworth Manor, Tyrone, where she had been a resident since February 2005, died at 6:55 a.m. Thursday, July 20, 2006, at Tyrone Hospital, Tyrone.
Born Oct. 30, 1926, in Petersburg, she was the oldest daughter of the late Guy James and Florence (Piper) Hurley. She was united in marriage to Donald C. Broadbent, her high school sweetheart, March 7, 1946, in the Altoona Eighth Avenue Methodist Church, by the Rev. Gordon F. Hinkle, who was a family friend from his days as minister in Petersburg, where Helen was a neighbor and childhood friend. Mr. Broadbent preceded her in death Dec. 25, 1988.
Mrs. Broadbent is survived by two sons and two daughters, Donald Gary Broadbent and wife, Linda (Gensimore), Eden Hill; William Randall Broadbent and wife, Phyllis (Luckner), Alexandria; Suzanne Elaine Ciganik and husband, Jerome, Plymouth Meeting; and Carol Diane Patterson and husband, William, Alexandria; nine grandchildren, Travis Broadbent and wife, Kim (Boyer); Mischelle (Broadbent) Forgy and husband, Larry; Matthew Broadbent, Trevor Broadbent and wife, Leanne (Carrolus); Jennifer (Ciganik) Kuarilko and husband, Michael; Jerry Ciganik and fiancé, Andrea Johnson; Michael Patterson and wife, Marissa (Kyne); Melissa Patterson, Lindsay (Patterson) Norris and husband, Eric; four great-grandchildren, Megan and Erin Forgy and Alexis and Adalee Broadbent; and three more great-grandchildren on the way.
She is also survived by a brother, Gary W. Hurley and wife, Kay Lou (Hoffer); and a number of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by an infant sister of five months, Nellie F. Hurley; a brother, Guy T. Hurley; and a sister, Winifred Hurley Shuff.
Mrs. Broadbent was a member of the Petersburg Bethel Presbyterian Church, where she had served as a deacon and belonged to the Friends in Fellowship.
She was also a member of the Petersburg Area Homemakers and served on the board of directors for Shavers Creek Burial Association. She was a member of the Shavers Creek Grange, the Seventh Degree and Huntingdon County Pamona Grange. Mrs. Broadbent was also a member of the Cloyd K. Davis American Legion Post No. 150 Auxiliary, Petersburg, since 1948 and a life member of the Alexandria Firemen’s Auxiliary. She served as a member of the Stone Creek Valley Lioness Club for 12 years, having served as president for several terms; and was a member of the Juniata Valley Senior Citizens.
Growing up in Neffs Mills, Mrs. Broadbent attended elementary school in a one-room school in Mooresville that few know of anymore. She was a 1943 graduate of Petersburg Vocational High School, attended the Altoona School of Commerce and graduated from the Adele Allen Beauty School.
Predominately a homemaker, she also assisted the family dairy farm until the family was of school age and she then worked at Technitrol, Petersburg. She also drove school students in the Juniata Valley School District for over 20 years.
Until her health failed and she moved to Epworth Manor, Tyrone, she had been a lifetime resident of Petersburg. She enjoyed bus trips when able to travel and did a lot of crocheting and fancy work throughout the years, as well as doing some paintings. She loved to be around people and enjoyed family gatherings and preparing large meals, as long as she was able to do so.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 22, at the Petersburg Bethel Presbyterian Church, Route 305, Petersburg, with the Rev. David L. Benfer officiating. Interment was made in the Mooresville Cemetery.
Friends were able to call at the Cutright-Speck Funeral Home — Juniata Valley Chapel, 412 Main St., Alexandria, from 6-8 p.m., Friday, July 21.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Petersburg Bethel Presbyterian Church, Route 305, Petersburg, PA 16669 or to the Veterans Memorial Fund, c/o Cloyd K. Davis Post No. 150, Petersburg, PA 16669.
