Helen Mae Longstreth

Helen Mae (Watters) Longstreth, 96 years of age, of Spring Grove, PA and formerly of Oakdale, PA, passed away, Friday, June 20, 2025, at home with her loving family by her side. She was the wife of Lawson E. Longstreth, Sr. (Larry), with whom she shared 62 years of marriage, until his passing on March 29, 2011.
Born March 3, 1929, in Oakdale, PA, she was the daughter of the late J. Lester and Thelma J. (McLean) Watters.
Helen and Larry were members of the Presbyterian Church of Oakdale, PA, before moving to Spring Grove in 1961. Helen and Larry joined the First United Methodist Church of Hanover, PA.
Helen was proud of her Pittsburgh family heritage, being raised as a "Coal Miner's Daughter." Helen attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh after graduation from Oakdale High School in 1947, where she was a drum major of the high school band and the girl's glee club. Helen did special hand sewing for the Industrial Exchange of Pittsburgh. After selling their home in Oakdale, Larry and Helen partnered in L & H Trucking with Larry's sister Margaret and brother-in-law Glenn Hormel.
Helen was a Hanover Hospital Auxiliary member and a contributor to the Make-a -Wish Foundation for children with critical illnesses. In addition, she received a prestigious award from Michele Ridge from America's Promise for Inner City Children of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.
Helen always enjoyed the time she spent with her tea sisters, working on church bazaars, gardening, and raising plants.
Helen is survived by her two sons, Lawson E. "Buzz" Longstreth, Jr. and wife Mary of Spring Grove, and Glenn A. Longstreth of Spring Grove. A daughter-in-law, Lamanda M. Sullivan of Spring Grove, son-in-law Don H. Bakes of Browns Mills, NJ, and her brother, J. Dennis "Bub" Watters of Carnegie, PA. She is also survived by her seven grandchildren; Lydia and Lindsey, Erin Ray and husband Jon of Lumberton, NJ, Alan Bakes and wife Railey of Bala Cynwyd, PA, Mara Miller and husband Sean of Kingwood, TX, Jenna Jacobs and fiance Charles of Hanover, and Madison Spagnola and husband Curtis of East Berlin; and 6 great grandchildren, Charlotte, Eloise, Sawyer, Aubrey, Summer, Stella, expectant great-granddaughter, Lucia, and Godson, Dennis Watters.
Helen was preceded in death by her sister Patricia Irene Morgan and husband, Ralph (Ron) Morgan, sister-in-law Carol Ann Chauvet Watters, as well as a daughter, Andrea Mae Bakes.
A funeral service to celebrate Helen's life will be held on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at 11am. Visitation will be held from 10am-11am at the First Church of Hanover, 200 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA, with the Rev. Dr. B. Michael Brossman officiating. Interment will follow in the Spring Grove Cemetery. A viewing and time to share memories with the family will be held from 6pm to 8pm, on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at Wetzel Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 549 Carlisle Street, Hanover, PA 17331.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the First Church of Hanover, 200 Frederick Street, Hanover, PA.
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