Florence “Flossie” Helfer
HELFER: Florence “Flossie” Helfer, age 104, on Feb. 13, 2025. Flossie’s home for the last eight years was at Weinberg Terrace, where the administrative staff and aid staff cared for her like family. Flossie was an exceptional human being. She was intelligent, truthful, talented, fearless, and most of all, loving. She graduated from Penn State University in 1942, at a time when only 3% of women had earned a bachelor’s degree in higher education. She volunteered in the 60s and 70s at KDKA’s “Call for Action,” an organization devoted to the advocacy of the common man. On her 60th birthday she had three unanswered goals: learn how to paint (she became an accomplished painter with her paintings spread out all around Pittsburgh in family and friends’ homes); learn how to swim (accomplished that goal as well); and learn how to ride a bike (always regretting that she fell short of this goal). Her other hobbies included knitting, duplicate bridge, being a member of the garden club, and she was an exceptional baker and an avid golfer. On her 90th birthday she bought a new car and was adamant to secure a 10-year warranty, which she outlived. But most of all she was a loving wife to Paul for 70 years, mom to Ricky (Barb), Bob (Denise), grandma to Michael (Tracy), Josh ( Kristie) Jared and Jesse (Becca), great-grandma to Richie (Nichole), Jessica (Warrick), Korey, Madison, Taylor and Jacob, great-great-grandma to Liliana and Lincoln, nieces Merna and Marcy, and extended family and friends. Funeral private, a celebration of life on a future date. Professional services trusted to D’Alessandro Funeral Home & Crematory, Ltd., Lawrenceville. dalessandroltd.com PJC
comments