Helen M. "Grandma Precious" Socotch

1926 - 2011

Homemaker and Artist
LORAIN - Helen M. ""Grandma Precious"" Socotch (nee Pollack), age 84, of Lorain, Ohio passed away on Friday, May 6th, 2011, at Mercy Regional Medical Center, Lorain, with her daughter Susan and son Nick at her side, after a very brief illness.
She was born on August 23, 1926 in Lorain and lived there all her life. She was a 1944 graduate of Lorain High School. Helen was a homemaker, artist, and made loving and caring for others her purpose in life. And she was exceptional at it. Everyone who gave her a moment of their time was rewarded with a precious memory. They found a person with endless capacity, a skill to join them in the moment and vision to see and accept everyone for who they were. Helen loved to bake. She took great pride in celebrating life's milestones by creating family wedding cakes, baked goods for every celebration, and heartfelt ""thank-you's."" Her artistry and love was passed on to others through uniquely hand crafted cards for holidays, birthdays and special events. If you received one of Helen's cards, you knew you were special.
Above all, her most enjoyable time was being with family and close friends. She spent summers devoted to caring for her grandchildren in Oregon and made it a point to attend all of her grandchildren's significant events. She developed her ""Oregon family"" that extended from her two sons and included many of their friends and families. Helen was an active member of St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, where she volunteered for BINGO, worked in the kitchen at weddings, and supported craft bazaars at the bake sale tables. In the mid-80's, she took several calligraphy and writing classes at LCCC as much to expand her learning as well as to be around college students.
Helen is survived by her son, Nick (Sherry-wife) , of Damaskus, OR, her daughter, Susan (Lee Ann McCann), of Lorain, and 4 grandchildren; Jill, Thomas, Peter, and Stephanie.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, William N., in 1985, son, Stephen, in 1999, daughter-in-law, Laurie Banta-Socotch, in 2003, and her parents; Steven and Barbara (nee Toth) Polyak.
The family is holding private services. The Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Avenue, Lorain, is handling arrangements. The family urges everyone to please share your favorite memories and stories of Helen at, www.dovinfuneralhome.com.
Contributions in her memory, may be made to St. Nicholas Byzantine Catholic Church, 2711 West 40th Street, Lorain, Ohio 44053.