Helen Elizabeth Sumowski

Helen Elizabeth Casey Sumowski died peacefully at Lynn Haven Rehabilitation Hospital on June 20, 2024. There will be a Funeral Mass at 2:00pm on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Macon.  Father John Johnson will officiate. Burial will be at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

One of nine children, Helen was born in Savannah, Georgia on October 10, 1935. She was the daughter of the late Cornelius Joseph Casey, Sr. and Elizabeth Lavinia Shearouse Casey. Born in the Irish-Catholic neighborhood of Savannah known as the Old Fort, she attended the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist parish, Cathedral Day School, and graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy in 1954. She then served as secretary for the Honorable Columbus E. Alexander, Judge of the City Court of Savannah. She met her future husband, Chicago-born Robert Francis Sumowski, Sr., percussionist in the 80th Army Band at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, through the U.S.O. They were married at the Cathedral on May 11, 1963, and moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he was employed with Swift & Company at the Union Stockyards. They had two sons, Robert and Stephen, while living in the Gage Park neighborhood before settling in the southwest suburbs of Burbank and Palos Park.

After the passing of her husband in 1979, Helen returned to Savannah to care for her mother and sons and in 2002 relocated to Macon, where she became a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Affectionately known as “Grandma Helen,” she devoted her life to her faith and her grandchildren. She is survived by a son, Dr. Robert Francis Sumowski, Jr. (Liza) of Haddock, grandchildren Amara Elizabeth Sumowski of Macon, Justice Elizabeth Sumowski of Dublin, Robert Francis Sumowski, III (“Finn”) of Athens, Hyland Gray Hardeman Sumowski of Milledgeville, great-granddaughter Scout Elizabeth Sumowski of Macon, beloved sister Gloria Casey Thomas of Jacksonville, FL, cherished brothers-in-law Richard L. Tobolsky of Gardner, IL and Robert Wilkerson of Jacksonville, FL, as well as dozens of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Francis Sumowski, Sr., son Stephen Anthony Sumowski, and seven brothers and sisters.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at St. Paul Apartments, Antebellum at Arlington, and Lynn Haven Rehab for their love and support.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent’s Academy, Benedictine Military School, or the charity of your choice.

Please visit www.hartsmort.com to express condolences.

Hart’s Mortuary and Cremation Center, 765 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of arrangements.

St. Vincent's Academy
207 East Liberty Street, Savannah GA 31401
Tel: 1-912-236-5508
Web: https://www.svaga.net/donate/

Benedictine Military School
6502 Seawright Drive, Savannah GA 31406
Tel: 1-912-644-7000
Web: https://www.thebc400.com/support-bc