(News story) Helene Szczerba, an exercise physiologist and business owner who guided clients in setting - and reaching - fitness and wellness goals, died Monday in her Sylvania Township home. She was 60.

She learned she had pancreatic cancer in May, 2019, said her daughter, Natalie Szczerba.

"As soon as we got home and got our bearings, she said, 'I'm going to fight with might.' That's exactly what she did," her daughter said.

Shirts the family had made said, "Fight with Might" and "Team Helene." She was used to in-line skating and bike riding and running. She pledged that she'd take a three-mile walk on days she could.

"For her to go through pancreatic cancer and go through treatments, it was really hard for her," her daughter said. "She kept the faith that she was going to beat it. She wanted to do it for herself, for her family for everyone supporting her."

In April, 2018, Mrs. Szczerba had opened A to Z Fit & Well LLC, in Sylvania. She helped clients who wanted to improve a facet of life or lifestyle, from diet and nutrition to physical activity and weight. She also made sure clients made their goals specific and achievable.

"Mom was a great listener," her daughter said. "She listened and made sure to hear what they were saying."

For 15 years, Mrs. Szczerba was wellness coordinator at BP Husky Refining in Oregon, leading workers there in seminars or group activities but also counseling them individually.

She'd been a fitness instructor at the Jewish Community Center in Sylvania Township and the University of Toledo student recreation center. 

"She was one of the most knowledgeable people in our field," said Laura Rieger, group exercise coordinator at the St. James Club for whom Mrs. Szczerba was a graduate assistant when Mrs. Rieger was wellness coordinator at UT.

"She made sure she did her research and sought out the best resources to help her clients," Mrs. Rieger said.

Born Feb. 4, 1961, to Helen and Edwin Rybarczyk, she graduated Whitmer High School, where she was in track and field, gymnastics, and cheerleading, then obtained a bachelor's degree in physical education at UT, with a minor in vocal music. She later received a master of exercise science degree from UT.

A soprano, Mrs. Szczerba sang in church for years. She was a cantor at Rosary Cathedral and at Christ the King Church. She formerly sang in the Trinity Episcopal Church choir downtown. For 17 years, she sang and danced in the folkloric group Echoes of Poland, where she met her husband.

"She was selfless," her daughter said. "She made sure everybody was comfortable and felt they were important."

Surviving are her husband, Stanislaw "Stas" Szczerba, whom she married Sept. 20, 1986; son, Andrew Szczerba; daughter, Natalie Szczerba; sister, Francine Rybarczyk-Clouse, and brothers, James, William, and Edwin Rybarczyk. 

Visitation will be Sunday from 3-8 p.m. at Sujkowski Funeral Home Northpointe, with a recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. A funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Monday in Christ the King Church, where the family will greet visitors after 10:15 a.m. The Mass will be livestreamed via cktoledo.org.

The family suggests tributes to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or Christ The King Church.

This is a news story by Mark Zaborney. Contact him at mzaborney@theblade.com.

Published by The Blade on Aug. 6, 2021.