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Helen Marie Yourshaw
Helen Marie Yourshaw
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Helen Yourshaw Obituary
June 3, 2012
Helen Marie Yourshaw, 74, died on Sunday in her home in Arlington, Va., following a four-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Born in Schuylkill County the oldest of six children, she left home in 1961 to pursue a secretarial career in Washington, D.C.
With more than 35 years as a federal government employee, some of the agencies she worked for included: the Department of Commerce, the Department of Interior, Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Information Agency.
While at the Office of Telecommunication, she assisted Anthony Scalia, and under director Dr. Joseph Duffy at the USIA.
When she retired in 1996, she never really retired as she wasn't one to sit still. Her last stint working for the American-Australia Leadership Dialogue took her "Down Under" where she travelled extensively. She was a world traveler and had a sense of adventure.
She could be found most holidays assisting area florists and following her true passion as a flower designer. She also was passionate supporter of holiday charities — each year sponsoring Christ Child Society's Needy Children Christmas Drive. She also volunteered with Christ House serving Thanksgiving dinner for years. She also was a patron to the arts and enjoyed all kinds of performances at the Kennedy Center.
She never married, but you couldn't call her a spinster. She was independent and an authentic spirit. She found strength in her relationship with God and attended Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, Alexandria, Va.
Helen is survived by three brothers, Charles Yourshaw II, Pottsville, John Yourshaw, Germantown, Md., and Myron Yourshaw, Saint Clair; two sisters, Anna Rehnert, Saint Clair, and Ethel Elsts, Alexandria, Va.; two nieces, Kari Elsts, Richmond, Va., and Marita Elsts, Alexandria, Va.; three nephews, Brian Elsts, Arlington, Va., Charles Yourshaw III, Philadelphia, and Jeffrey Yourshaw, Hershey.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Nicholas Greek Catholic Church, Saint Clair, at 11 a.m. Friday with Monsignor Myron Grabowsky, the Rev. Anthony J. Killian, the Rev. Richard Dyer and the Rev. Mark Fesniak officiating. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Nicholas Greek Catholic Church. An additional viewing time will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass Friday. Interment will follow Mass at Holy Trinity Cemetery, Saint Clair. At the family's request, memorial donations may be sent to ALS Association — DC/MD/VA Chapter, 7507 Standish Place Rockville MD 20855 or to Memory Garden — Blessed Sacrament Courtyard Project, 1427 W. Bradock Rd., Alexandria, VA 22302. To extend condolences to the family online, please visit www.gsesfuneralhomes.com. Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., Schuylkill Haven, has been entrusted with the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Iris Hoard
July 3, 2012
My sincere condolences to Helen's family, and remember that God will see you through. Helen was a lovely lady with a beautiful smile. I knew Helen when we worked for United States Information Agency (USIA).
Linda Haas
June 20, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. Helen touched the lives of so many who will remember her forever. Warm thoughts and prayers are being sent out to her family and all those who loved her.
Agnes Mravcak
June 19, 2012
I'm so sad to hear of Helen's passing. Helen in many ways introduced me to Washington,DC, to Arlington, VA (where we both lived in Fairlington) and to a new job I loved (at OEP, then the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration). Her advice, our visits, her flowers, her friendship--I'll miss Helen's spirit, compassion, and intelligence. Thank you, Helen, and go with God.
Paulette Jordan
June 19, 2012
I was so saddened to hear of Helen's passing. She was a wonderful woman so full of life and encouragement. She loved her family dearly and spoke of you all often. I worked in the same office with her at USIA and I was there when she"semi-retired." She kept working and I would see her occasionally but over the years we lost touch but I thought of her often especially in July when I knew she celebrated her birthday. I am glad she is through her suffering and if there are any angels on earth--Helen was truly one of them. God bless you all.
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Trey Reid
June 18, 2012
I was so very sad to hear of the loss of your sister Helen. I first met her in the early 1970's at the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration and not a day went by that we didn't spend time having wonderful conversations, even if they were brief. Her sense of humor, her professional talents and capabilities and her ability to make everyone feel comfortable were incomparable. When she knew that my Grandmother in England was coming over for Christmas in 1972 for what would be her first visit to the US, Helen made two gorgeous artificial Christmas trees that she designed based on what I had told her about my Grandmother -- I still use them every year and they hold treasured memories of both Helen and that Christmas with my Grandmother. But Helen was like that -- she was always helping someone or making their lives happier. We sadly lost touch over the years but she will always be very dear to me, as I know she was to you and your family.
Natalie Chagnon
June 18, 2012
I worked with Helen at USIA. I will miss her alot. She was a wonderful caring person who went out of her way to help others. She did the sweetest thing for my son -- I had brought him to work with me and when Helen went out to lunch -- she came back and had given him some easter candy - saying that she had ran into the Easter Bunny - needless to say - my son had a smile on his face for the rest of the day. This is what I will always remember about her - a kind and generous person.
Arlene Roposh
June 17, 2012
Anna, I'm so sorry to hear of Helen's passing. My heartfelt sympathy. I had the pleasure of working with Helen when we were with the Office of Telecommunications Policy. Even though she took her job seriously, she could be tempted into some fun adventures. One of my fondest memories of Helen was the day the power went out at our building and we played hookey for the rest of the day at the National Zoo to see the pandas. I don't know if Mr. Scalia ever knew why she didn't come back to work after the power was restored.
Helen and I recently reconnected via e-mail, and I will miss our little talks.
Cecilia Weyand
June 11, 2012
I am so very sorry for your loss. Helen was a wonderful person. Anna you and you sister's were very good to my family. I know we lost touch as the years went by but i am truely thanful for everyting you did for us! God Bless.
June 8, 2012
Ethel: With our deepest sympathy and prayers. We know how much you loved your sister.
Val & George Dayton
Annandale, VA
Joyce Tischer
June 8, 2012
Anna: I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much you loved your sister. Please know that you are in my heart and thoughts.
Geri Grieff
June 7, 2012
My thoughts & prayers are with you With Deepest Sympathy
Paul & Delores Baca
June 7, 2012
We have very fond memories of Helen. She came to Albuquerque, NM to visit for the Balloon Fiesta. She stayed with us. She loved my pinto beans. Every morning she would sit outside on the patio and pray the rosary. Our prayers are with you.
Cabell Nelson
June 7, 2012
Martha's and my thoughts and our heartfelt prayers are with you.
Jean Minarick
June 7, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Shelly Hansbury
June 7, 2012
I had the pleasure of getting to know Helen in the mid 80's as I was helping to care for her mother who was in long-term care at the time. She had such a compassionate spirit and I enjoyed many talks with her when she was in to visit with her mother. We'd even exchanged addresses to write for a time. My regards to the family in your loss, and heaven has been blessed with another angel and gentle spirit.
Bronwyn Cannon
June 6, 2012
I had the good fortune to meet Helen in January 2008 when she was volunteered by our mutual friend Peter to assist me with an event being held by the Australian American Leadership Dialogue in CA.
Helen and I quickly became firm friends with Helen coining us the Thelma & Louise of the day.
Helen was a godsend during that extremely busy time both in her efforts and experience. We also had some really wonderful, fun times in the breaks - even thinking of them now puts a smile on my face.
Helen and I kept in contact after the event via phone calls & emails. We frequently talked about me visiting her in DC during Halloween, Thanksgiving or Cherry Blossom time.
I was very sad to hear of Helen's passing. Helen was such a lovely, warm and genuine person.
May she rest in peace.
Robert Sanderlin
June 6, 2012
I just met Helen in the last year when Kari introduced me to the woman who meant the world to her. Immediately I was drawn to the life in her eyes and could see just how special she was. She was at the stage in her illness where she couldn't walk or talk and it was through her iPad that she could communicate. She was genuinely interested in what you had to say, especially anything that came out of Kari's mouth, no matter how quirky. I will always remember how Kari could make her laugh until she cried.
I will always remember her smile and sense of wonder. And the time Kari put the cowboy hat on her last summer, she almost exploded with delight. I know her mainly through the stories Kari tells and I can assure you, Helen's spirit live on in all the lives she has touched. She enjoyed hugs from me even though she was very frail. I loved her instantly.
She will be missed.
Mary Helen Gregory
June 6, 2012
Heaven has another angel, another wonderful spirit to be with Dad. I have many fine memories of Helen Marie. She is, and will always be, close to my heart.
Ethel Elsts
June 6, 2012
I don't have much to look forward to everyday. My life has an empty spot. You were my best friend and the second mother to my children. I will be forever grateful for you being part of our family. No more doctor visits, no more needles, and no more hoping for a miracle. Helen, you gave up a good fight with ALS and never once did I hear you complain about the pain. Save me a place next to you with mom and dad. I'm sure they were rejoicing when you arrived back home.
Auntie Helen and me this past summer!
Kari Elsts
June 6, 2012
There's absolutely no other words to describe Auntie Helen other than beyond spectacular! Without her in my life, I definitely would not be the person I am today.
Mitsuyo Sprague
June 6, 2012
Although there is just so much more that I did not know about you, Helen, I am so grateful that I did get to meet you. Thank you so much for letting me come into your life at the time of your great deal of suffering.
While I will miss you, I am glad and comforted that you are now in the better place - safe and comfortable place.
Rest in Peace, Helen, my dear friend. You are and will always be in my heart.
With a lot of love,
Your Friend, Mitsuyo
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