Helene Lucy Smith Prehatny

(September 17, 1932 – June 30, 2025)

Born in Weston, Pennsylvania on September 7th, 1932, to Elizabeth (Genetti) and Paul Smith, Helene’s childhood was shaped by loving parents and grandparents who immigrated from Tyrol. Together, they instilled the importance of faith, service, self-reliance, creativity and music in her.  She often spoke of her grandfather, Nono, whom she loved dearly, saying, “What you do speaks so loudly, I don’t hear a word you are saying!” 

So, Helene began her mastery of being a “Doer” as soon as she was able to hold an accordion on her lap at age 8. Her gift of bringing joy through music escalated with her becoming a choir director and a concert pianist and there remains a recording of her playing a “four-piano” concerto on the radio as a youth. 

Not only did she excel at piano and accordion playing but Helene was quite the “tom boy.” She answered to the nickname, “Smitty” on the softball diamond and on the basketball court. Climbing trees and husking corn on her grandfather’s farm kept her fit but as she learned to cook and bake traditional Tyrolean foods with her mother and Nona, her grandmother, she developed a great love of cooking and baking that would become a part of her legacy and ministry in her later years.

She met her late husband, Dr. John Richard Prehatny at Penn State where she received an Associate degree in Medical Technology. She became a full time mother with the birth of her first born, Charlene, as husband, John’s Surgical residency kept him at the hospital for long hours.

She joined Holy Ghost Byzantine Church, 2310 S 24th St. Philadelphia, having embraced the Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Faith which was the Rite of John’s parents who came through Ellis Island, New York, from Czechoslovakia in the early 1900s. This was the start of a ministry of love with Holy Ghost that spanned over six decades of Helene’s work directing Youth programs, running church events, singing with the choir, baking with the ladies weekly, delivering baskets to shut-ins, and counseling many parishioners, young and old, along the way. Helene believed in “Faith, Family and Friends,” in that order. Her trust in God was her compass that guided her path reciting the Rosary daily along with her prayers. 

She was the original DIY mother. No project was too big whether it be painting the house or making her children’s prom dresses. She did the crossword puzzles in the paper every morning to keep her brain sharp and was always up for a game of Scrabble where her opponents would find themselves looking up words she just knew. She loved her garden and flowers and you could find her often in a floppy hat and long-sleeve shirt on a summer day pulling weeds deep in her garden beds while her children played.

As a mother to five children, Mary Poppins could take notes from the way she raised her brood. She sang always and every day around the house and her children followed suit. There were always parties where Mom was “head chef’ and her 4 daughters, Charlene, Linda, Lorraine and Barbara were her helpers. Son, John, cut the grass as everyone had jobs. Never tiring, she would hoist her accordion up over her shoulders after dinner and don her  “Entertainment Director” hat for a lively set of sing-a-longs which usually ended with a family favorite, “Golden Slippers.” 

She was the musical director for school productions therefore the Prehatny house was filled with the sounds of every musical of the era including dance numbers.  All of her children were required to take piano lessons and practicing was mandatory. She was a strict parent but loving and because of her, classical piano songs could be heard through the house most of the day. On Friday evenings she would drive her children to Holy Ghost for choir practice where they learned Slavonic and show songs in four-part harmony. After Sunday Mass and Byzantine Catholic Doctrine classes that she originated would end, the Ukrainian Dance lessons would begin where the Prehatny clan would take part with the children of other church families. 

As her grandchildren were born and they reached the age of 7, Helene, known as Grandmom or “Gmom,” became their piano teacher. She would drive to their homes for weekly instruction. There would be bi-annual recitals in her living room with printed programs and rows of folding chairs where all would sit and listen to Sonatas, Etudes and husband, John’s favorite, “Clare De Lune,” executed beautifully by her students. The recital would end with a “Chopsticks” duet with her and one of the grandkids and the highly anticipated duet with husband of the classic, “Lady of Spain.”

Helene also shared her love of baking with her three generations of children. There were special days set aside for baking at Mom/ “Gmom”/Gigi’s home and the mouth-watering scent of the traditional nut bread, poppy seed bread and a sweet bread called “Paska” would waft through the house.

She continued her unwavering devotion to God, family, her church community, and her friends until her earthly mission completed that Monday, June 30th when a clap of thunder and a streak of lightening accompanied her last breath followed by a rain shower as a Hail Mary and her Morning Prayer (below) was recited. 

Grant unto me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may

face all that this new day is to bring.

Grant unto me to dedicate myself completely to Your Holy Will.

 For every hour of this day instruct and support me in all things.

 Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm 

conviction that all eventualities fulfill your Holy Will.

 Govern my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.

 When things unforeseen occur, let me not forget that

all comes down from You.

 Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward

every member of my family, that I may bring confusion

and sorrow to none.

 Bestow upon me, Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day, and to bear my part in every passing event.

 Guide my will and teach me to pray, to trust, to hope

to suffer well, to forgive, to love, to give thanks — and remember Eternity.  AMEN. 

(Based on that of the Monks of Optina Monastery Byzantine Christian Spiritual Center) (Est. late 15th century)

Helene’s smile which she bestowed on everyone brought immeasurable joy. Her brilliant, blue eyes were windows to a soul filled with love, understanding, and compassion which brought comfort to those who gazed into them. Helene listened thoughtfully to those seeking her council. She did not judge but requested trust in the Lord. 

Helene is survived by her children, Charlene Ryan (Jerry), John Prehatny (Justine), Linda Swain (Ian), Lorraine Belprez (Mike), and Barbara Rake (Jeff). Her grandchildren, Kelly Ryan McGowan (Rob), Gillian Ryan Fogerty (Stew), Madeleine Ryan, Brett Swain (Diana), Malinda Swain (Darcey Clancy), Lianda Swain, Ian Swain II (Kristen), Lorianna Swain Camp (Jim), Dilan Swain (Dena), Jack Prehatny (Emily), Aidan Prehatny, Natasha Prehatny, Marie Belprez Stephenson (Blake), Jarrod Belprez, Terence Belprez, Jonah Belprez, Adam Belprez, Isaac Belprez, Audrey Rake, Morgan Rake, and Kristen Rake; her Great Grandchildren, Mia Gandolfo (Ryan), Ava Gandolfo(Ryan), Ryan Fogerty (Ryan), Maeve McCauley (Ryan), Xavier Swain, Greyson Swain, Cedar Clancy Swain, Thyme Clancy Swain, Saylor Swain, Charlotte Swain, Ella Swain, Ian Swain III with Jordan Swain Camp arriving in Sept 2025.

Services will be held at Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church, 2310 S 24th St. Phila. Wednesday July 9th. Viewing 9:30-11am followed by Divine Liturgy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Helene’s name to Holy Ghost Byzantine Catholic Church.

Webmaster Note: Helene was the granddaughter of Raffaele (Ralph) Genetti (1867-1949) and Lucia (Lucy) Zambotti (1865-1952), both born in Castelfondo, Tyrol. The couple were married in Weston, Pennsylvania where they made their home and operated a popular beer hall for many years. Helene contributed many family photos to the Genetti website, as well as a beautiful tribute to her grandparents also published on this website – Family Memories by Helene Smith Prehatny.