Helen Andrews

HELEN ANDREWS Helen Andrews, 78, fell asleep in the Lord Saturday, May 22, 2010. Helen was born in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, July 1, 1931. She was a 30-year resident of Las Vegas. Helen was the oldest of five sisters, "The Gettas Girls." After graduating from Guelph Collegiate, Helen worked as a bank teller for several years in Canada. She married the late Fr. Apostolos Andrews and began an active life as the wife of a Greek Orthodox priest "Presvytera" -- as well as that of a homemaker and mother in Michigan, Illinois, Greece, and finally, Las Vegas. She taught Sunday School and was involved in many church activities over the years. She worked as a teacher's aide in Chicago, and after her husband died, became a childcare worker and nanny, touching the lives of many children with her loving and nurturing care. After retiring, Helen volunteered at the Bishop Gorman High School Library. She enjoyed entertaining her many, many friends, and going out with "The Lunch Bunch" to celebrate birthdays and holidays. Helen was an active member of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Las Vegas. For many years, she headed the church's "Sunshine Committee," visiting those who were ill, disabled, or unable to leave their homes. She brought much happiness into the lives of many people, especially those whom she so selflessly visited when they were going through difficult times. Helen was also a member of the Ladies' Philoptochos, "Friends of the Poor," Society and the Daughters of Penelope, a Greek-American women's organization. She had also been very active in Church Women United of Southern Nevada, helping to plan and taking part in the World Day of Prayer and other events of the organization for a number of years. Helen was named "Mother of the Year" by the Daughters of Penelope at St. John's Church in 1999. Until her illness, you could always find Helen working at the admissions gate at the Greek Food Festival. She enjoyed meeting, greeting and conversing with people wherever she went. Helen died peacefully at home, where she lived with her daughter, Joanne and her son-in-law, Mike. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, John and Smaro (Bouris) Gettas; husband, Fr. Apostolos Andrews; and son-in-law, Allan Padderud. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Joanne Andrews and Mike Ehlman of Las Vegas; son and daughter-in-law, Fr. Nicholas and Presvytera Toni (Eck) Andrews, of Chino Hills, Calif.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jean Borovilos, Connie and Steve James, Marina Jackson, and Betty and Doug Madill, all of Canada; and her many nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews, to whom she was known as "Auntie Helen." She will also be missed by "granddoggie," Athena; and "grandkitties," Pandora and Portia, who loved keeping her company and sitting by her bed. Visitation will be 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 25, at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, 5300 S. El Camino Road., followed by an Orthodox Trisagion service at the church at 6:30 p.m. Helen's funeral and burial will take place in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, where she grew up. Memorial donations may be made to St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church.