Helen Suzanne “Sue” (Kotarski) Houck, age 77, passed away peacefully at her home in Honesdale, Pennsylvania on Saturday, December 9, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on April 10, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Stanley Kotarski and Mildred (Hogencamp) Kotarski Dolph and the stepdaughter of the late Leo Dolph. She was raised in Wayne County Pennsylvania and was a graduate of Waymart High School. Before retiring, she worked as an Income Maintenance Caseworker for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Once retired, she spent her time volunteering at Regional Hospital of Scranton, and then later at the Wayne County Historical Society research library (Honesdale) where her extensive knowledge and contributions to local genealogy research will not soon be forgotten. She also enjoyed traveling, spending time with family and friends, and especially enjoyed playing Mexican Train Dominoes with her domino club family.
Surviving are her daughter, Amy DeReamer and her husband Jamie of Honesdale, and two grandsons, Grady DeReamer and Zachary DeReamer. Also surviving are a son, Chris Houck and his wife Bonnie of Mertztown, PA.
She is also survived by half-brothers, Lee Dolph and his partner Mike Hubbard of South Cannan and Tom Dolph and his wife Donna of Oklahoma, half-sisters, Deborah Kilhullen and her husband Daniel of Honesdale and Mary Merring of Lake Ariel, a brother-in-law Thomas Gilpin of Waymart, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Dennis Robert Houck, who died on May 9, 2010, and a half-sister Candis Gilpin.
Per her wishes, Sue will be cremated and her ashes will be scattered at the beaches of some of her favorite seaside locales. There will be no interment services but rather a celebration of life to be held at the convenience of the family.
Heartfelt thanks go out to Joy Simons, Carol Henry Dunn, Roxanne Smith, Jason Smith, Carl Reichart, Christine Smith, Tyler & Istvan Uvarji, and to the staff of Compassionate Care Hospice and LifeForce Elder Care. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wayne County Historical Society, PO Box 446, Honesdale, PA, 18431.
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Carol Dunn
Sue’s “family” of genealogy and history lovers at the Wayne County Historical Society sends prayers to Sue’s family. We are so thankful for having known Sue and appreciate all that Sue did for the Research Library and the community. We will miss her so much.
Michael J. Cartwright
Good bye cousin. It took a long time but we finally got meet. I am so glad that we did. Having dinner with you next to Humboldt Bay is something I will never forget. See you when we meet again on the other side.
Luzmila Martin
I did not have the opportunity to directly know Helen, but I have had the pleasure of working with her daughter Amy and learning about her from Amy. This is an amazing depiction of what kind of imprint Helen left in her community. May you find comfort in the cherished moments you shared and the love that surrounded her. My heartfelt condolences.