Helene May Fennell

Helene May (Patten) Fennell, age 85, of Pottstown, PA, passed away on Friday, October 2, 2015 at Reading Hospital. She was the beloved wife of the late William Joseph Fennell, who passed away on March 21, 1998.
Helene was born in Pottstown, PA, she was a daughter of the late John Edward Patten Sr. and Mildred Phyllis (Amwake) Patten. She was a graduate of Pottsgrove High School.
She was the co-owner of Bill's Carpet Shop in Pottstown, PA.
Helene and William at the time of William's passing had celebrated 45 years of loving marriage. Helene was a member of Limerick Chapel. She was proud to be a volunteer and gave her time to many outstanding organizations in Pottstown. She was a life member and Past Royal Matron and Past Royal Patron of Pottstown Court #113, order of the Amaranth. She was a member of the Schuylkill Chapter #338 Order of the Eastern Star in Pottstown and a member of Nativity Commandery. She was a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem, Reading, PA. She was a member of the Pottstown Century Club and the Doe Club of Pottstown.
She was also a volunteer in the Radiology and Imaging Service Department at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. She was a volunteer at Ringing Rocks Elementary School, in the Gift of Time program. She was a tour guide and gift shop hostess at Pottsgrove Manor in Pottstown. She volunteered at the VNA of Pottstown.
She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. She touched the lives of everyone who knew her. Her smile would light up any room and her warming personality and generous spirit were a testament to her belief in the lord.
She was the most thoughtful and caring person one would ever know. She never missed sending birthday cards to all of her family members. She attended every family celebration and baptisms of her nieces and nephews. Her family was such an important part of her life and she always focused on her family and put others before herself.
She was a woman of God and knew that she would be going home to be with the Lord. She was like a mother to her nieces and nephews. It was her pleasure to help her family.
She always gave her time and was always available to her family to help at any time. She was a devout Christian and loved reading the Bible. Her Bible was a source of comfort for her. Later in life, she enjoyed learning how to play the piano and took great pride in her accomplishment of learning to play piano.
Survivors include two daughters Patricia Ann Petitti, wife of Christopher Anthony, of Pottstown, PA and Susan Helene Rutter, wife of Alan Dale, of Reading, PA; one sister – Emily Davidheiser, wife of the late Marvin C., of Florida; one nephew William J. "Billy" Patten; three grandchildren – Brianna Helene Petitti, Kaitlynn Elizabeth Rutter, and Karlee Helene Rutter.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Mildred Phyllis Zeigler, and her brothers John E. Pattern Jr., Richard Patten, and Harry Patten.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, October 9 at 11 a.m. at Houck & Gofus Funeral Home, Inc., 955 N. Charlotte St. Pottstown, PA 19464. Viewings will take place on Thursday, October 8 from 6-8 p.m. and on Friday, October 9 from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. Entombment will take place following the funeral at Highland Memorial Park Mausoleum. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.houckgofusfuneralhome.com