Felicia “Helen” Cortright, formerly of Lawson Street, Williamsport, passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2023. She was 98 years of age. She was born on September 13, 1925, in Binczarowa, Poland, to Piotr and Justyne Trochanawska, and is the last survivor of three brothers and three sisters. Driven from her home in Poland and separated from her family in 1942, she spent the next three years in a Displaced Persons Camp and was forced to work rebuilding railroads until the German surrender in 1945. She stayed in Germany after the war and, in 1947, met her husband Walter “Jack” while serving him a cup of coffee in a Red Cross station. They were later married and she returned to the U.S. as a GI bride. She became a U.S. Citizen in 1953. Jack predeceased her on November 3, 1998.
Felicia was devoted to her church and was an active member of the former Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, where she sang in the choir for 30 years. She made many lifetime friends and was well known for her pierogies and golumpkis at the Polish Festivals. She was a current member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish.
Felicia worked as an inspector at Weldon’s Manufacturing Company for 20 years before retiring in 1975.
She is survived by one son, Richard “Jim” Cortright and his wife Susan of Linden; three grandchildren, Jason Cortright (Michelle), Troy Cortright (Lisa), and Mindy Evans (Steve); six great-grandchildren, Eric, Rachel, Tyler, Hunter, Peyton, and Brianna; and three great great-grandchildren. She is also survived by nieces and nephews in Poland.
A funeral service to honor Felicia’s life will be held Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Knight-Confer Funeral Home, 1914 Memorial Ave., Williamsport, with the Rev. David Bechtel officiating. The family will receive friends prior from 9 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow at Wildwood Cemetery, Williamsport.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials in Felicia’s name to St. Joseph the Worker Parish, 711 W. Edwin St., Williamsport, PA 17701.
Online condolences may be expressed on Felicia’s memorial page at http://www.KnightConferFuneralHome.com
