Helen Carol took her place among the angels on July 1, 2020. Her long term battle against an insurmountable string of medical challenges is a true testament to her strength, determination and sheer bull-headedness. Helen was a class of warrior unlike any we’ve ever known and we are so very proud of the fortitude that she exhibited throughout the last several years. She will live on in memory as being the strongest woman that we have ever known and will be missed so very VERY much. Our hearts are breaking as we continue on in our attempts to overcome the grief of such a devastating time in our lives.
Born and raised in Johnstown, PA, Helen was preceded in death by her Mother and Father, Michael John Rolish Sr & Helen Anna (Kendera) Rolish. Her legacy lives on through her two loved and adored children, Thomas Raymond (Reva) Logue II & Tracy Renee Logue (and Kent), as well her granddaughter Tabitha Renee Logue and great granddaughter, Lilith Ruth Cannon.
She is also survived by her beloved sister, Michelle Rolish, who we are forever grateful to for providing constant comfort and care to her sister over the past several years. Mom adored the time they had together and loved their shenanigans. Michelle brought so much joy to her that no words can adequately describe. She was so much a blessing to our mom that saying thank you does not even come close to expressing our love and gratitude. In addition, Helen is also survived by her brother, Michael John (Mary Lou) Rolish Jr. and many, many nieces and nephews.
While her immediate children have had long term constant debates over who is the favorite, it is most likely that the true favorite is one of her ‘adopted’ children that she has mothered over the years. Our bet is that the top 3 list could be narrowed down to Matthew Turner, Samantha Gallagher Livingston, or Bonny Enos. When we take into consideration the toys, treats and affection that she showed them, It would be no surprise if the granddogs Maxwell and Ella would round out the top 5.
If your name wasn’t mentioned, please don’t be offended. Helen informally adopted so many children over the years, we simply cannot list you all. We’re sorry but we can assure you that Thommy and Tracy are at least higher on the extended list of favorites. We know our mama made an impression on everyone she met and touched so many lives and we are blessed to call her ours.
Our mother was a spectacular mess and our rock and loved her children, sister, grandchild. great grandchild and grandpuppies with all her heart. Her constant need to ‘mother’ spilled over into her work life as she had worked in numerous capacities, mostly revolving around either serving people, or cleaning up after them. We certainly did our best to provide her with only the best training for those positions. Her hobbies were varied but led by both spending time with her loved ones and laughing at their ridiculous shenanigans, as well as her continuous ogling of Captain America. After that, in no particular order is her love of flowers and joys of cleaning out the greenhouse, texting her children, calling her children, cooking for her family, texting her children, calling her children, her favorite TV shows (watched over and OVER AND OVER), texting her children, calling her children, rearranging everything and repacking everything over and over and over, filling her head with a wealth of random (and sometimes, useless) information that she wielded upon her sister during episodes of Jeopardy. In case we forgot to mention it, she loved to text and call her children.
Holidays were always a favorite time for our Mom. So much so, that she started decorating for Christmas earlier and earlier each year. At first we thought she just loved Christmas that much, but now we suspect that she just didn’t like undecorating from all the other holidays in between. Time spent with Mom was always filled with love, laughter, and occasionally hurt feelings if she beat Tracy in a game of their continual, ongoing Gin tournament.
There is nothing in this world that our Mom loved more than her children (including the informally adopted) and sister. We’ve watched her win battle after battle against insurmountable conditions, just so that she could spend more time with each and every one of us. We all happen to be quite envious of her crush on Captain America, but we have no doubt that she really did love us with all her heart and had absolutely no intention of ever leaving us. She loved her children and sister fiercely and would have fought all the forces in the world to stay with them forever. There are not enough words to describe how much she means to us, how very much we will miss her, or the depth of our pain.
We would also like to express our sincerest and deepest gratitude to mom’s medical care team to include but not limited to her oncologist, Dr. Ami Jhaveri, Palliative Care’s Dr. Wagner and Sue, Dr. Parker, Dr. Hesham, all nurses and the support staff at Barshinger Cancer Institute, the nurses and support staff on 8 Lime and in the Emergency Department at LGH, and the Manheim Township EMS personnel mom has encountered during her battle. We may not know you by name but we see you and we appreciate you. We know she was in good hands and you did your very best.
In lieu of flowers, we simply ask that you make time to spend with someone that is important in your life. Hug’em if you’ve got’em, kiss them while you can, be sure to tell them that you love them, for regret it has no fans.
Arrangements will be set for a gathering of her loved ones on July 25, 2020.
Cremation Services of Lancaster (717) 273-6283