Helen (Smith) Vanover

Helen (Smith) Vanover

On February 2, 2021, a gentle soul affectionately known as Sunshine or Boots joined the angels in Heaven, after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s. Three days shy of her birthday, Helen, 82, died at her daughter and son-in-law’s home, surrounded by the love reflective of the empathy, compassion, gentleness, and humor she shared readily with family, friends and often strangers who simply seemed to need a caring hand. While the disease robbed Helen of memory, it did not deter her from relishing anything chocolate, smiling with a twinkle in her eyes or the pure enjoyment of listening and dancing to her favorite songs. Survived by her loving daughter and primary caregiver, Lori (Jeff) Gasparik;  son, Steve Vanover, and siblings, Bonnie (James) Margaria and Fred (Anita) Smith. Preceded in death by Carroll Vanover, as well as her parents, Helen and Fred Smith and brother Bobby. In a nod to a song from Yanni, one of Helen’s favorite performers, we invite family and friends to join us for a “Celebration” of life during the visitation on Thursday, February 4, 2021, from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m., at English Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 378 Maryland Ave., Oakmont, PA 15139. In line with COVID-19 protocols, masks and physical distancing are required.  A Mass of Christian burial will be held, at 11:00 a.m.  on Friday, February 5, 2021, in St. Joseph Church, Verona. Interment will follow in Verona Cemetery, Oakmont.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen (Smith) Vanover, please visit our floral store.