Helen Weise Hombosky

Helen Weise Hombosksy was born November 24, 1931 in Brooklyn NY, but lived most of her school years in Englewood, NJ. She passed away on November 3, 2014 after a long illness. She leaves behind her beloved husband Ralph; daughters, Kara Holcombe of Show Low, AZ & Christine Erickson of Spartansburg, SC; son, Ralph Gruner of Texas; grandson, Andy Nasseef of Chandler, AZ; granddaughters, Kelly Holcombe of Tucson, AZ & Jessica Erickson of Spartansburg, SC; and 2 great-granddaughters & 2 great-grandsons. She was preceded in death by her brother, David Weise of Tucson, AZ. When Helen was two years old she spent many years in hospitals due to a lung disease, which ultimately resulted in the first Pneumonectomy performed at Bellevue Hospital in New York in 1936 & 1937. It was the first to succeed and was written in the New England Medical Journal in 1955-56. She was known in the medical circles as the "miracle child". Helen was politically and civically active for many years, having served as President of the Republican organization. She was also the first woman to run for City Council where she served for many years. Because of her work she received many awards and citations for her service to the community. For a number of years she worked at Rutgers University Institute of Microbiology. Then her interest in law took over. She worked for several attorneys until her marriage to Ralph in 1975 when they moved to Tucson, AZ. After they adopted their grandson, Andy, she decided to start an in-home business to take care of him. This is when she became an Independent Contractor for the State of Arizona as an Adult Developmentally Disabled Home Provider. After retiring from her business in 1995 they moved to their home in the White Mountains. She stayed active during these years as a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Show Low, Mizpah Chapter 57 of Eastern Star, White Mountain Women's Club, Summit Investment Club, Emblem Club, Navajo County SAV, Navajo County Search & Rescue, and was an ardent supporter of the NRA. Helen attributed her longevity to her loving husband Ralph, daughter Kara & grandson Andy and the many friends she has made through the years. A special thanks to her friends at the Cardio & Pulmonary Support Group (CAPS) at NRMC. They were her lifeline to living longer. Her lung was removed after one was successfully removed from a dog. This gave the Drs.the knowledge they needed to perform the procedure on Helen. It was a dog that gave her life. Helen asked to be remembered for the good times. She asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the AAWL. No public services are scheduled at this time.