Helen Traynor Petrisky

She was predeceased by her loving husband, B.J. “Pete” Petrisky, by her devoted parents Daniel and Adelaide Traynor, brothers Pat and Danny, and sisters Mary, Rita, and Margie. She is survived by three daughters and their husbands — Debbie Lewis (Jim), Mary Kainer (Clarence), and Kathy Assante (Scott). She also leaves behind her nine grandchildren — Elizabeth Olvera (Andrew), Margaret Evans (Ryan), Mary Kate Lewis, Eileen Lewis, Claire Johnson (Barrett), Christine Kainer, William Kainer, Rachel Assante, and Ethan Assante — and five great-grandchildren — Nora Olvera, A.J. Olvera, Audrey Evans, Michael Evans, and Olivia Johnson. She is also survived by her sisters Bernardine Ploch and Kathleen Traynor and numerous nieces and nephews, including Steve Traynor with whom she had a special bond.

Born on the 30th of January 1935, Mom grew up in the Oak Lawn area of Dallas during a simpler time. One of eight children in an Irish-Catholic family, she established a strong work ethic early on. She fondly recalled the freedom and responsibility of taking a streetcar to deliver lunch to her father at work, walking to the store to pick up odds and ends for her mother, and managing a newspaper route. A product of the Great Depression, Mom quickly learned the value of being frugal, a trait that stayed with her except when spending money on loved ones, when you would hear her say, “It’s meant to be spent!” She attended Holy Trinity Catholic School and then North Dallas High School where she earned her high school diploma in 1952. Upon graduation, she worked as a secretary with Service Fire Insurance Company. Mom married B.J. “Pete” Petrisky in Dallas, Texas, on the 28th of April 1960 and started a multi-state migration with Pete and the children until he completed his twenty-year career in the United States Marine Corps.

After Pete retired, Mom began what would be a 50-year career as a cafeteria manager and caterer for three area Catholic high schools, with Gold Coin Vending, her brother Pat’s business. Students at Ursuline Academy, Jesuit College Prep, and Bishop Lynch High School will remember Mom with fondness as she did more than just prepare nutritious lunches — she took a keen interest in students’ lives and doled out advice as often as she did a meal. Most famous for Taco Tuesday at Bishop Lynch, Mom was the feature of a back-to-school issue of the Texas Catholic in 2010 in which she discussed her focus on serving high-quality, nutritional foods in a light-hearted atmosphere. Mom’s tremendous work ethic never waivered. After long days working at B.L., she would cook dinner for the Dominican brothers-in-residence and also worked at the local Mervyn’s.

After retirement, Mom enjoyed working in the yard, playing games on her iPad, and spending time with her pet beagle. After several attempts at naming him, she finally resolved that the best name was “Come Here”, later spelled as Khamir. This beagle was one lucky pup, having been rescued from danger in a busy parking lot and going to a cushy life of home-cooked chicken dinners.

To her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Mom was known as Moosie. All remember her as generous and loving. She planned sleepovers at her house, constructed “Water World” in her backyard during the summers, and enjoyed choosing that just-right gift for Christmases, birthdays, graduations, and reception of the holy sacraments. She never turned down an opportunity to watch her grandchildren participate in their various childhood activities and frequently traveled with them during summer vacations.

A woman of deep faith, Mom was a devoted member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church for more than 40 years. Saturday evening Mass was her favorite time to attend where she “held court” at the back of the church and greeted friends and fellow parishioners. Mom was fiercely independent and unfailingly strong, and she achieved the goal of living on her own up to her final days. She would be very proud of that, and we are very proud of her.

Her family is deeply grateful that during her illness, Mom was so well cared for by the doctors and nurses of Baylor Scott & White Hospital of Dallas. We are beyond grateful for the expert, compassionate care they gave her. In addition, we wish to thank Chris Taylor and Genna Paulson for their guidance and support during the planning of Mom’s funeral arrangements.

Rosary and visitation will be held on Thursday, January 11th at 6:00 p.m. in Sparkman Funeral Home, 1029 S. Greenville Avenue in Richardson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, the 12th of January, in St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 6306 Kenwood Avenue in Dallas. Inurnment will take place after the funeral Mass in Calvary Hill Cemetery, 3235 Lombardy Lane, Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital http://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/HTP

Throughout her life, Mom taught us all the value of family and faith. Please visit her online memorial tribute at www.sparkmanrichardson.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.