Helen Ann Birk, 85, passed away on January 27, 2021 in Allentown from an aggressive Stage 4 bone cancer.  Helen was born in Hazleton, PA on August 12, 1935 to the late Andrew Imro and Helen Franko Yakubisin, second generation immigrants from Austro-Hungarian Slovakia, arriving in America in 1880-1890s.

She was baptized at St. Michael's Byzantine Catholic Church in McAdoo, PA.  Helen Ann Yakubisin graduated from Allentown High School in 1953.  She worked in a department store during high school and after graduating, she worked as a bank teller.  Helen married Philip Leon Birk on November 1, 1958.  She devoted herself to raising her son and being a homemaker.

Some of her many cherished moments included several days travelling with her family, in California, and visiting San Francisco, Sausalito, Carmel, and Big Sur; making annual trips to Narragansett and Newport Rhode Island with her husband; trying her luck at slot machines in Atlantic City, Bethlehem PA, North Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas: attending the Indianapolis 500, as well as the Army-Navy football game in Philadelphia, where she was seated not too far from Princess Grace of Monaco; being a band parent, and watching the many performances of the William Allen High School marching band; and taking her grandchildren to local attractions, such as the Little Lehigh Trout Nursery, the model train exhibit at Merchants Square, and Josh Early Candies.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip Leon Birk, her sister, Mary (Marie) Rolis Yakubisin, and her brother, Andrew (Andy) James Yakubisin.  She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Philip Reed and Sharon Williams Birk, and her grandchildren, Philip Lee Birk and Katherine Anna Birk.

Services will be at the convenience of the family in Bethlehem Memorial Park.