Janet Helms

Janet M. (Mouganis) Helms, age 72, of the North Hills of Pittsburgh, went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Beloved wife for 28 years of the late Worth Helms.

Loving mother of Olive Nyamahunge (Matthew Gocinski); step-mother of Trey Helms (Cameron); sister of Nancy Wehrheim and John C. Mouganis (Rebecca); aunt of Stephanie Brennan (James), James J. Wehrheim (Alyssa), Emanuel Mouganis, Katherine Mouganis, Nicholas Mouganis, Anna Mouganis, and Leah Mouganis; step-grandmother of Lilly Helms and Worth Helms, IV; great-aunt of James Brennan, John Brennan, and Jake Brennan.

Janet was a graduate of North Allegheny High School and Grove City College. Janet had many leading roles in local theater and was the soloist for many years at St. Stephen's Church in Sewickley.

Janet was a woman of deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ, and it was from that faith that her life of service flowed. Grounded in her love for the Lord, she passionately advocated for the plight of the poor and orphaned, shared her resources and time, mobilized her friends and acquaintances to build institutions of learning and to offer scholarship support for the most needy children from impoverished families. Janet obtained a Masters in Missions from Trinity Seminary. In 2000, she started going on mission trips to Uganda, Africa, where she met her daughter, Olive. In 2011, she founded Orphan Heart Ministries. Janet co-founded and grew Tumaini Academy from an idea inspired by Bishop Qampicha Daniel Wario to a fully operational primary school with 5 affiliated preschools enrolling over 550 students. Former Tumaini students have gone on to win academic accolades and are currently studying in some of the top high schools in Kenya. Janet was also the author of two books, Healing the Orphaned Heart and Orphaned Heart Healings: Testimonies of God's Grace, and a musical called, "Lord Make Me The Woman You Want Me To Be."

Her faith also shaped the way she loved people personally. Janet poured herself into her friendships and relationships, offering encouragement, wisdom, and steadfast devotion. She was a loyal friend and trusted confidant, making others feel seen, valued, and deeply known. Her relationships were marked by a sincere desire to love others as Christ loves.

Family will welcome friends on Saturday, January 10th from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at Schellhaas & Sons Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 1600 Stone Mansion Drive, Sewickley, PA 15143 (Franklin Park/Wexford. Burial will be held on Sunday, January 11th at 12:30 p.m. at Allegheny County Memorial Park Cemetery, 1600 Duncan Ave, McCandless Township, PA 15101. Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, January 11th at 2:30 p.m. at Christ Church at Grove Farm, 249 Duff Rd, Sewickley, PA 15143.

In lieu of flowers family suggests donations in memory of Janet Helms to CEED Trust, PO Box 1362, Wexford, PA 15090 (Attn: Kate Kuzco), www.ceed-trust.org or to Tumaini Academy via ARDF, The Anglican Relief and Development Fund, RE: KCEP, www.ardf.org/project-kenya-kcep.

Please leave all condolences at www.schellhaasfh.com.