Helen Snell

1915 - 2014

Helen E. Snell

Helen Snell, 99, of Missoula

Helen Eleanor Snell (Grandma Honey), 99, of Missoula, MT died on July 09, 2014. A first generation American, she was born May 23, 1915 to Anna and Adam Matsko of Stockett, Montana near Great Falls. Known by her family as "Helyenka" she was the middle child of eight siblings: Anne (Ted Johnsen), Emery (Anna), John (Noella); Verne (Al Millette), Margaret (Charlie Aline), Steve (Bertha) and Tom (Pat) all, except Pat Matsko, with whom she shared a bond of sisterhood, have preceded her.

Helen moved to Great Falls in 1927 with her family after the death of her father. During the Great Depression, she quit school in order to help support her family by working jobs at the famed Knights Candy Store and as an usher at the local theater. During this time she met and married Cliff Sayre and had two daughters, Ardice and Sharon. At the beginning of WWII the family lived near San Diego, CA until Cliff was transferred to Australia and they returned to Montana. Cliff and Helen divorced after the end of the war and she raised her two daughters as a single mother. She worked at The Barrel, Gordon's and the LMH Company, owned by her brother Tom.

In 1950, she married George Snell, the love of her life and a father figure to her girls. George worked for the US Postal Service and the couple eventually settled in Spokane, Washington, where she worked for Larson's Furniture. In 1977 they moved to Missoula to be closer to family. During their retirement, the couple took numerous international trips and spent time every winter in Hawaii. George passed in 1980, but Helen continued to travel the world including a trip to then Communist Czechoslovakia (today the Slovak Republic) to visit Jaklovce, the village of her mother's birth. She treasured the connections she made with her many Slavic relatives that affectionately remember and ask about her to this day. Helen continued to visit Kauai well into her 90's.

Family members particularly remember Helen's traditional Slavic dishes such as poteca (Walnut Roll), halupke (pigs-in-the blanket) kolache (prune rolls); her exquisitely wrapped presents; her Danish puff; her love of flowers; her adventurous spirit; "Grandma Honey's Baked Beans"; how things were "beautamous" and "loverly"; Christmas cookies; her love of bridge, pinochle, canasta and other games; the pride she felt for the accomplishments of her descendants; and of course, her oft shouted phrase - "Yippy Skippy'!" indicating a particularly good hand in cards or seeing a family member succeed.

Helen is survived by her two daughters Ardice Nicholson (Don) and Sharon Weldon (Fred) both of Missoula.

Helen was immensely proud of and took great joy in following the lives of her grandchildren: Gerry Steinbrenner, Tom Steinbrenner both of Missoula, Jill Olson (Barry) of Missoula; Bill Fine (Gloria) of Oakland, CA, Greg Fine of Chicago, IL,; Tom Weldon (Janet) of Spokane, WA; Scott Nicholson (Susan) of Albany, OR, Mark Nicholson (Kelley) of Missoula, Gregg Nicholson (d2004), Eric Nicholson of Temicula, CA, and Kyle (Edna) Nicholson of Honolulu, HI. And her great grandchildren: Katie and Sydney Steinbrenner; Zack and Willis Steinbrenner; Kjel, Heidi and Josilyn Olson; Fernando, Benjamin, and Lucas Fine; Mitch and Sam Weldon; Ian and Keira Nicholson; Keegan and Morgan Nicholson; John (Brittany) Roth; Cody (Mariah) and Justin Nicholson; Ruben Tafoya and Taylor Nicholson.

In addition, Helen cherished her relationships with Bill and Gloria Steinbrenner, Suzy Colbo and was a loving "auntie" to her extended family including: Albert, Art, Bob, Dick, David, Emery, Janice, John, Joyce, Karen, Kenny, Laverne, Sandy, Shawn, Steve, Tom and Virginia. And of course, "her" dog Dixie.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at The Springs, Partners Hospice and Dr. J. Michael Caldwell. The Springs brought a wonderful life-enhancing experience that opened a whole new world for her and the family. Partners Hospice brought her incredible dignity in her final days and immense comfort to the family as they navigated unchartered waters.

Services will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2014 at 11:00 am at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Missoula. A "Remembrance of Life" and reception will be held at The Springs at 1:00 PM with a future private burial. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to The Springs, in support of hospice or the charity of your choice.