Henrietta P. Jaskula, 94, formerly of Baldwinsville, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, at St. Camillus Residential Health Center. Born in Buffalo on Jan. 26, 1926, Henrietta was the daughter of the late Stanley Dybowski and Pelagia (Nowak) Dybowski. Henrietta grew up in South Buffalo. Following her 1944 graduation from South Park High School, Henrietta went to work for one of the many film exchange and distribution centers located throughout the country. She later was employed by Bell Telephone as a switchboard operator in Hamburg, N.Y.
Henrietta married twice, first in 1947 to William Richard Nellist. From this union, daughters Linda and Elizabeth were born. After Dick Nellist’s untimely death in March, 1950, Henrietta married Chester J. Jaskula in October, 1950. This marriage produced a son, Dennis. While raising her young family in Hamburg, Henrietta took on many part-time jobs, and built a home bakery business called “Cakes by Henrietta.” She specialized in making wedding cakes, but also baked and decorated novelty cakes for all occasions, and filled vast numbers of trays with dozens of assorted cookies for the holidays. With her husband, Chester, and three children involved, “Cakes by Henrietta” became a family business. Eventually Henrietta made wedding cakes for each of her children, most of her grandchildren, and many neighbors, friends and co-workers.
Throughout her life, Henrietta also worked various jobs making use of her sewing skills. This included everything from designing Linda’s wedding gown to clothing alterations, to creating custom fit canvas tops for boats.
In 1968, Chester, Henrietta and son Dennis relocated to the Syracuse area. After moving to Baldwinsville, Henrietta continued to maintain close ties with her family in Hamburg and the 50-year friendships she had formed with the ladies in her sewing club. Henrietta volunteered at weekly luncheons for seniors at the Baldwinsville Moose Club and donated caps she made for patients who had suffered hair loss due to chemotherapy.
In 1982, Henrietta and Chester bought the first of two motor homes and traveled extensively for the next 20 years, spending many winters in Ormond Beach, FL. After Chester’s death in 2012, Henrietta moved to St. Camillus Residential Health Center, where she resided until her death.
In addition to her parents, Henrietta was predeceased by husbands Chester J. Jaskula and William R. Nellist; her grandson George Obad, USMC; her brother Norbert (Viola) Dybowski and twin brother Henry (Alice) Dybowski. Henrietta is survived by daughters Linda (Dennis) Stimson of Baldwinsville and Elizabeth Obad of Hamburg; son Dennis (Marcia) Jaskula of Phoenix; grandchildren Jeffrey (Debbie) Obad, Edward Jaskula, Danielle Cunningham, Peter (Kimberly) Jaskula, and Katherine Stimson; great-grandchildren Nate Cleveland, Paige and Daniel Jaskula, Isabella and Matthew Jaskula, Jeffrey John Obad, and many nieces and nephews.
Henrietta’s family wishes to thank the staff on C Unit for the wonderful care she received over the last six and a half years. There will be no calling hours. Interment at Lakeside Memorial Park in Hamburg will take place at the convenience of the family. online at falardeaufh.com.
