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In memory of
1941 - 2010
Lorraine Mcsweeney
December 19, 2013
Helen, we miss your smiling face at the dinner table Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Nancey Gorecki
May 12, 2011
Sweet Helen. I keep your photo on my phone to remind me of the sweet voice I would have from time to time on the other end. I miss you. I know you are in a beautiful place now. We were all blessed by knowing you. We all miss you. You will never be forgotten.
Lorraine McSweeney
April 30, 2011
Helen we miss you! Think about you often and miss your smiling face at the holiday dinner table. Happy Easter!
Patrick McGonagle
April 29, 2011
my deepest sympathy to the saunders family on the passing of helen i just found out from our contact at the city of pinellas park
although we never met in person i considered helen a good friend always nice to talk with and very positive
she was excited about retiring and said she was going to look up myself & one of my coworkers while passing through chicago i'm sorry we never got that chance rest in peace my friend
your neice, Jessica
January 28, 2011
Aunt Helen,
The amount of energy you shared was like an adventure I was always up for. Although we were separated by so many miles, every conversation made me feel like I was right there. You always had a way of making me laugh, I hope I did the same for you. Your voice, laughter, and memories most of all, will stay with me.
I miss you.

A good visit, smiles & memories in Indy - Helen & Helga
Helga McGreal
January 28, 2011
Miss you very much Sister, thinking of you often. You made such and impact on so many people though the years and this will continue on... Glad we have you as an angel.. Love you sis, Helga
Kelly McGreal
January 13, 2011
Aunt Helen, Heaven is blessed to have you... you are missed more than words can expressed... You always had a smile and warmth to share.. so many memories dear to my heart.. An amazing woman with an equally amazing heart. A wonderful, sister, mother, aunt and friend..
Lorraine McSweeney
January 11, 2011
Helen, we miss you very much. There will not be a day that goes by that you are not thought of. We will miss your smiling face at the dinner table on the holidays.
Everlasting thoughts,
Lorraine
Ginny Cook
January 10, 2011
Helen, your humor and zest for life would light up the room. You left us much too soon and will be greatly missed by all your frinds in CPAAA.
Denise McSweeney
January 8, 2011
Helen, we miss you very much. We will miss the times we spent together during the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas). We love you and miss you!! Denise and Kevin
Laureen Leary Doucette
January 8, 2011
I met Helen on a plane trip up to Long Island when she sat in the row with me and my son Matthew.I had never had the pleasure of meeting her until that day. You never know what a small world this is that we live in. Helen and I had a really nice conversation and realized we had something in common. She worked for the City of Pinellas Park and so did my husband, Matt Doucette. I only had one opportunity to meet and speak with her, but it was easy to see what sweet and special lady she was. I am sure she will be missed by so many people and I am glad that I got to meet her that day. I am sure that the Lord is happy to have you back home with him.
Wendy Burgasser
January 8, 2011
I am saddened by Helen's sudden death and deeply regret that I am unable to attend her memorial service today. We worked together at Allstate and she honored me by asking me to be a reference for her City of Pinellas Park position. I was pleased then to learn that she got the position and now to learn how beloved she was there also!
When I read about her retirement party Circus in this Guest Book and saw all the evident love she kept on sharing in every area of her life, it made me smile. Helen loved to tell family stories and laughter was always a sentence away - even in some of the sad memories. She told me that laughter was her trusty coping tool.
I hope that all who are there to celebrate her life will share some of their hilarious Helen exchanges with each other. I trust each and every one will have a few they can tell. I remember one that would make her grand daughter blush ... it was when they went to her condo pool together when Jenna was very young and observant and vocal... Maybe it's better I can't be there today after all...
Helen is now, and always was, a bright star!
Lisa Flanagan
January 7, 2011
Mom, I miss you every single day. I miss sharing my day with you and talking and laughing. Thank you for being a wonderful Mother and Friend! I cannot even find the words to tell you how much I Love You . . .
Bob Degan
January 7, 2011
Helen, Fran and I miss you so much. It seems like yesterday when we first met over 30 years in Long Island N.Y. That was also when Lisa and Jimmy first met. We all had such a great time just six weeks ago during thanksgiving with you at Denise and Kevins house.
Love, Fran & Bob Degan
Bob Degan
January 7, 2011
Helen, Fran and I miss you very much. Its been over 30 years since we first met and it seems like yesterday. That is also when Lisa and Jimmy first met.We all had such a great time together just six weeks ago during thanksgiving at Denise and Kevins house.We all love and miss you very much. Fran & Bob Degan
Amy Purvis
January 7, 2011
To Lisa and Family, please accept my deepest sympathy on your loss. Love, Amy
LaVon Nawrocik
January 7, 2011
Helen enjoyed life each day and touched the lives and hearts of many. She liked to help all and will be deeply missed. LaVon nawrocik
January 6, 2011
I met Helen only once in 1979 but I still remember that summer day in Wisconsin so clearly thanks to Helen's generous hospitality and charming warmth. She made me, a cousin from the old country, feel instantly welcome in the new country and I am sure this feeling is shared by all those of us Finnish cousins who had a chance to meet Helen. - Liisa Komulainen, Helsinki, Finland
Robert Degan
January 5, 2011
In loving memory of Helen. All our love and sincere condolences~
Love,
Bobby, Rob & Karla Degan
Marilyn Rector
January 5, 2011
Helen was a lovely, caring person who was called home way too soon. I was lucky enough to meet her during 2010 and it felt as though we had known each other forever. It's hard to lose a new friend so quickly. I'm glad I had the chance to know her, even if it was just for a short time. Helen, you are missed.
Bob and Bev Waggoner
January 4, 2011
Your beautiful smile and sense of humor will be missed for a long,long time. A true friend with the most positive outlook on life. We wish we could have had you longer but are grateful to have known and loved you.
Christopher Saunders
January 4, 2011
The only reason I can think of that Helen MOM had to leave us this soon in life is because God must have need of her spark to make a major miracle.
Nancey Gorecki
January 4, 2011
Helen's inner joy glowed to everyone she met. She was always positive, loving and tender. She brought so much sweetness to other lives. I can still hear her giggle. I have no doubt Helen is with Jesus and I feel we were blessed to know her as a friend. Helen was such a sweet and beautiful lady, inside and out. Helen, you left such sweet memories of you behind and I will treasure you forever in my heart. Thank you for the blessing of you. I miss you Helen.
Bev Gagne
January 4, 2011
Helen was a good friend, full of life and laughter. She will be missed.
Ona Zene' Yeshitela
January 4, 2011
Thank you Helen for blessing our office with you presence and what a presence it was. I still cannot believe you are not here with us, laughing and encouraging all of us to be happy and to love one another.
The last card you gave me sits on my desk today:
"Everyday opens and closes like a flower".
"Ona, thank you for making my last days special. You hold a special place in my heart. Love Helen"
Robbie Woodard
January 3, 2011
Helen, there have been so few people that I have met that have made the impact on me that you did. I liked you from the first time I met you. I loved your smile and humor, sometimes you were lost at the at the computer but laughed it off anyway. You were always such a caring person, whispering jokes from time to time. You were a real jewel full of precious and full of fire. God has blessed us all with your friendship. You will always be remembered for the lady you are. You are missed more than you know.
Robbie Woodard
January 3, 2011
I liked Helen from the first time I met her. Her jovial smile and pleasant person personality made her a joy to know. We shared a common interest in Jazz and movies. She always had interesting and fun stories to tell. Always a lady and a good friend. You will be sorely missed.
Rosa Freed
January 3, 2011
Helen, you set the standard for how I want to live my life. Your love for your family and friends was obvious in everything you did. I will miss you.
Holly Aday
January 3, 2011
Helen's zest for living, warm smile, and enthusiasm for every venture made every meeting with her an uplifting experience - no matter how bad you might think your day was, it became better for having her heartfelt unconditional acceptance and love. Though her 'See you later' at her party will be postponed, I know she's looking out for all of us for she earned her wings here on earth.
Magda Melendez
January 3, 2011
My heart is filled with sadness. Helen was such a happy, caring, fun loving person. God wanted His angel back to fill heaven with her laughter, her smile and her happy ways. Helen, Rest In Peace and know that you are missed. Till we meet again.
January 3, 2011
I worked with Helen every day for the past several years. She never met a stranger. She brought laughter to our lives. She was our caretaker and a good friend to each of us. I miss her and think about her everyday. I will never forget her retirement circus and all the fun she had that day. I love you Helen... Lynn Ross
Valerie Plachy
January 3, 2011
After "bunking" desks with you for only a few short months, you taught me so much about life. You truly enjoyed every day no matter what you were doing. You loved people, knew how to forgive, always saw the positive side of things, and laughed about everything. You will always live in my heart. You've left a great legacy, and it was a privilege knowing you.
January 3, 2011
Helen will be remembered as the smiling receptionist at City Hall. It was always nice to go upstairs and be greeted by Helen. She always had nice things to say. She will be remembered as a sincere and pleasant lady......
Scott Pinheiro, Pinellas Park

Helen's wry eight-year-old smile.
John Aalto
January 2, 2011
I miss you so, my dear sister. You brought such sensitivity, compassion and humor to our family, your family, and to the many people you touched. In loving memory, John
Theresa Jewell
January 2, 2011
Auntie Henny, It's been a long time since we got to see your smiling face, but you will be in our hearts forever. I can still hear your "laugh" in my mind. Rest in Peace dear Aunt, we love you!
Donna Saxer
January 2, 2011
I ran into Helen at Sam's Club one day with one of my girlfriends and her boyfriend. My girlfriends play a game where I would call their prospective guys by anything but their given name (I can tell by their reaction how long their relationship will last). Helen laughed so hard over this that this became our game, calling each other by a different name whenever we talked/met.
I was so saddened to hear about Helen's passing as she was so full of happiness, laughter, love---life!!
I saw Helen on a Sunday before her passing outside of Work Out World. I can't remember how we greeted each other, but I can assure you that it wasn't either of our given names on our birth certificates!! It was pure Helen--- upbeat, happy, laughing and so full of life!!
After hearing of her passing, I recalled that last conversation that we had. She was still recounting her wonderful send-off during her retirement party from the city. She was able to know how much she meant to all of us, which meant so much to her, and she was so appreciative of her "circus". And I still don't know whatever it was that John Moore said to her (she tried to tell me more than once, but she choked up and couldn't finish), but it truly touched her more than you may ever know, Mr. Moore.
Diana/Shalleka/Irene/Maureen----Helen, I miss you!!! I hope to spread your love of life forever!!
Donna
Carolyn Cach
January 2, 2011
Dear Sweet Helen, it is still difficult to believe you are gone, too soon-too soon. I hope your family knows how much you were loved and what a Very Special Lady you were - one who cared so deeply and brought joy and laughter to all. I imagine you are already helping God greet all who enter His heavenly doors and bringing a smile to His face. Helen, I feel honored to have known you.
December 31, 2010
I still can't believe you're gone from us--you had so much LIFE in you! You touched so many people in very special ways. You will be remembered lovingly. Rest in peace, dear friend. Linda Hopton (Pinellas Park, FL)
Bill and Cindy LeVan
December 31, 2010
Helen's calling came much to soon. Helen had so much life in her yet. Having finally gotten to retire (something she never thought she could do) she was so full of joy on that last day of work. Helen had so many plans and dreams but with only one problem of just what to do first. Helen could make us laugh at any given moment because one never knew what Helen might say. She was a funny lady and will be missed by many. God Bless you Helen. I know his plan for you will definitetly be to put a smile on the faces of family and friends when they think of you.
December 31, 2010
Helen will be sincerely missed by the employees of our City.If you ever met her, you knew her forever.She never met a stranger. Helen, thank you for your dedicated service to our residents. May you rest in peace forever. Mayor Bill Mischler (Pinellas Park,FL)
Lorraine McSweeney
December 31, 2010
We will miss your smiling face and loving words and touch. You will always be on our minds and in our hearts. We love you Helen! Kevin and Lorraine
Lauren Letona
December 28, 2010
Helen was a beautiful person with a loving caring soul. She was the most generous person I have ever met. She will never be forgotten and a piece of her will always be with me. Love you Helen! Lauren Letona
Legacy Remembers
Posted an obituary
December 24, 2010
Helen Saunders Obituary
Helen Saunders (nee Aalto), April 22, 1941 - December 20, 2010. Born in Milwaukee, WI to George and Edna Aalto, Helen grew up in West Allis, WI. She lived in Wisconsin, Long Island New York and moved to Pinellas County Florida in 1988. She... Read Helen Saunders's Obituary
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