Helen Billie Schell

1920 - 2016

Helen Billie Schell, age 95, formerly of 6th St Whitehall PA, died Monday June 13, 2016 at Holy Family Manor in Bethlehem PA. She was the recent widow of Ellwood F. Schell to whom she was married for 74 years. Born July 25, 1920 in Maizeville PA, she was the 7th of 10 children of Harry and Justina (Komanetsky) Billie, Carpatho-Rusyn émigrés from the Galicia region of Eastern Europe. She graduated from Gilberton High School in 1938 and from the McCann School of Business in Mahanoy City PA in 1939. Helen retired in 1985 after 15 years as cashier with Whitehall-Coplay School District food services. Her diverse work experiences ranged from secretarial duties at Dun and Bradstreet to the production control office at Vultee Aircraft. While employed at the iconic Hess Brothers department store in downtown Allentown, she met Ellwood. She was an energetic homemaker dedicated to raising and educating four children. Helen was a long-time parishioner of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church. There she was a parish school volunteer and a member of the Golden Agers. She was also a charter member of the Whitehall Women's Club. Helen enjoyed her kitchen and was especially recognized for her seashell casserole, ethnic "holupki" and pie crust. She was a competitive Scrabble player, an avid reader and an expert knitter. Most cherished are the hand-knit personalized Christmas stockings she created for her entire family. "Nana" treasured every moment she spent developing relationships with her 10 grandchildren, nurturing and loving them. Survivors: Children: Theresa (Randy) Schmitz, North Wales PA, Thomas Schell, Midland Park NJ, Dennis (Margaret) Schell, Northampton PA, Susan (Edward) Carrington, Bradenton FL. Grandchildren: Matthew, Kristen, Stephen and Thomas Schmitz, Royce and Kathryn Carrington, Kendrick, Eric, Michael and Stephanie Schell. Sister-in-law: Peggy Love, Kansas City MO. Many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, parents, sisters Olga Eisenhard and Anna Billie, brothers Peter, Michael, Frank, Harry, Andrew, Panko and Wasyl Billie. Services: Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Friday June 24, 2016 at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Roman Catholic Church, 618 Fullerton Ave Whitehall PA 18052. Her viewing will be from 9:00 to 9:45 am in the church foyer. Interment will follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem. Contributions: Memorials may be offered to Holy Family Manor Resident Activities Fund, 1200 Spring St Bethlehem PA 18018, where Helen and Ellwood resided and received extraordinarily compassionate care for nearly 6 years. The Gilbert Funeral Home of Whitehall is honored to handle her arrangements.