Helen Carlson

PORT ALLEGANY - With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Helen Virginia Caffo Carlson, who left us peacefully Nov. 14, 2025, at the age of 83. A beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, she lived a full life of love, kindness and dedication to her family and community.
Born Dec. 5, 1941, in Port Allegany, "Ginny" was the eldest of three children born to Albert "Bert" and Ruth Caffo. Ginny attended Port Allegany High School, where she was a class officer and clarinet player. She continued her education at The Pennsylvania State University, earning a bachelor's degree in home economics in 1963. Her years at Penn State were filled with cheering at football games, swimming with the "Naiads" synchronized swimming club and sharing adventures with her dear roommate, Sandy Stake.
After college, Ginny returned to Port Allegany to begin her career as a teacher. On Dec. 5, 1964, she married her high school and college sweetheart, George A. Carlson. Together, Ginny and George built a home filled with boundless laughter and energy and creativity, nurturing four children and creating traditions that will live on for generations.
After leaving her teaching career, Ginny stepped seamlessly into managing Carlson's Store in Turtlepoint. For nearly 50 years, she helped make Carlson's Store a cornerstone of the community and a place where everyone felt welcome.
In addition to raising her children and working, her extensive community service will be remembered by the countless lives she impacted. For more than 15 years, Ginny was a volunteer 4-H leader, teaching countless children sewing and cooking as well as serving as an expert judge at the McKean County Fair. She played an instrumental role creating the Turtlepoint Community Park, a project that continues to benefit families and children in the area. She served on the Port Allegany Recreation Authority Board, overseeing the pool, pavilions and swim team programs, which continue to enrich the lives of countless families in the community.
Ginny was an active member at Gethsemane Lutheran Church. She served as secretary and president of the church council for years and planned countless events and Swedish Smorgasbords. Throughout the communities she served, she will be long remembered for her kindness, optimism and open-hearted hospitality.
Ginny's life was blessed with the things she loved the most: swimming and diving, hosting big family dinners, tailgating at Penn State, camping in the Big Rig, visiting family up and down the East Coast and going to the beach. She especially cherished the time she spent "babysitting" and entertaining her 10 grandchildren.
Helen Virginia Carlson was known for her joyful spirit and generosity, always ensuring her home was a place of warmth and full plates. Her unwavering optimism and a heart full of gratitude and love touched many lives and she leaves behind a cherished legacy of family traditions.
Ginny is survived by her devoted husband of more than 60 years, George A. Carlson, and by their four children and their families, Craig Aaron Carlson and Leslie Dean, with daughters Chloe Emma and Mia Cora Carlson; Bonna Louise Carlson and William David Johns Jr., with children Emi Louise Tanaka, Taro Blaise Tanaka and wife Emma Michelle Barr Tanaka; Sherri Helen Carlson and Brent Procida, with daughters Claire Marie, Molly Ruth and Caroline Louise; Darla Renee Carlson and Nadeem Butler, with children Sofia Renee, Bailey Annin and Eli George.
She is also survived by her brother, Albert Lincoln Caffo, and his wife, Betty Burg Caffo.
She was predeceased by her cherished sister, Elizabeth Coxe Caffo.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Saturday (Nov. 22, 2025) at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 205 E. Arnold Ave. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery, with a memorial luncheon in the Gethsemane Educational Unit. Family and friends are warmly invited to gather, share memories and celebrate Ginny's beautiful "life well-lived."
Arrangements are under direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Switzer Chapel, 77 Willow St. Online condolences may be expressed at olneyfoust.com.