Helen Willits

Helen Louise Willits died on May 11, 2009 at the age of 82 from lung cancer at her home in Sun City, Ariz. She was born at home in Osage, W.Va. on Feb. 23, 1927 to Martin and Anna Sperla. Helen met John Willits in Chicago and a year later, in 1946, they were married at St. Ann's Cathedral in Great Falls, Mont. They had eight children; the youngest, Julie, died in 1967 at the age six. Helen graduated from University High School in Morgantown, W.Va. She was employed at Montgomery Ward and Diana Hughes. She was a member of the Retail Clerks Union and belonged to COPE. In 1969, Helen and her family moved to Washington, D.C. when her husband was appointed to the National Mediation Board. They lived in Alexandria, Va. for 20 years and she worked for several years at Circle Terrace Hospital. Helen was active in Friendship Force traveling extensively around the world and hosting many guests from foreign countries. She was a delegate from Washington, D.C. with President and Mrs. Carter to the International Convention in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Helen had a gift for hospitality and loved to cook, bake and share her home with others. She had many life long friends near and far. Around her dinning room table she would have her guests sing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" any time of the year! Helen made over 3,000 Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls selling some but gifting most of them away to children of all ages. She lived in Sun City, Ariz. for the last 20 years of her life where she took classes in woodworking and calligraphy. She belonged to a book club and political discussion groups and volunteered weekly at Interfaith's Alzheimer daycare. Helen will be greatly missed by all who knew her, especially her family. She is survived by her husband John B. Willits of Sun City; sons Jack Willits (Ardis) of Sun City, Charles Willits (Nancy) of Houston, Texas, Thomas Willits of Great Falls; daughters Vicki Lint (Val) of Bozeman, Mont., Elaine Finger (Marvy) of Houston, Texas, Jane Steranko (Dave) of Pittsburgh, Penn. and Laura Grochowski of Bozeman, Mont.; 11 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; sister, Ann Pastoria of Pittsburgh, Penn.; and many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Julie; sister, Mary; brother, John; and brother, Steven, who was killed during the invasion of France in WWII. A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 29 at Union Hills Country Club, 9860 Lindgren Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85373, (623) 974-5888. Memorials may be made in Helen’s name to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014 or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at 19021 Sombrero Circle, Sun City, AZ 85373.

Helen Willits

February 23, 1927 - May 11, 2009