Helen Lucile Havrilla

Helen Lucile Havrilla, 88 of Vermilion, died Tuesday, June 15, 2010 in Mill Manor Nursing Home, Vermilion with family at her side. She was born October 11, 1921 in Vermilion and had been a life long resident. After graduation from Vermilion High School, she had worked at South Shore Packing, and McGarvies Restaurant, both in Vermilion and General Industries, Elyria. On January 3, 1942 Helen married Michael Havrilla in a military wedding ceremony in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She and Michael started their married life with her traveling on trains to be with him and waiting for him to return from World War II. Her journeys on trains have always created a special regard for trains all of her life. She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church where she was a charter member of the Altar Rosary Society. She had been a den mother for Cub Scouts and a Girl Scout leader. She was a charter member of the Lorain Community Hospital Auxiliary where she had volunteered for 15 years. She was a member of the Tappan Western Square Dance Club, Norwalk, Belden Square Dance Club, Oberlin and the Wam-Bam Square Dance Club. She was a member of the Friends of Harbourtown. As members of the original Vermilion Garden Club, she and her husband were very active in the club; their flowers and especially tea roses were highly anticipated in the annual club home tours. Having been raised on a farm, Helen learned the importance of hard work and persevering. But especially, she welcomed the beauty of nature in her life, be it flowers, trees, birds and woodland animals. She enjoyed raising roses, reading, music, the outdoors, pets, oil painting and playing the piano. Helen's life was her family and friends. Her cards, phone calls, and rose bouquets made many an elderly or infirm person smile. She thought of herself only after she cared for everyone else. She is survived by a daughter, Helen Lucile Davis, Vermilion; a son, Michael Wesley Havrilla, Longmont, Colorado; a grandson and 2 great grandchildren; 2 step sisters, Anna Polochek, Bainbridge, and Cornelia Matas, Huron. Preceding her in death were her husband, Michael Havrilla; parents, Vasile Jacob and Helen Lucille (nee Seretean) Vasu, a sister, Cecilia Martz, and a brother, Richard Vasu. Friends may call Sunday, June 20, 2010 from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion where a Rosary Service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Prayers will be said at the funeral home Monday, June 21, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Mary Catholic Church, 781 Exchange Street, Vermilion. at 1 p.m. Father Francis Speiers and Father Nicholas Rachford will concelebrate. Entombment will be at Resthaven Memory Gardens, Avon at 3 p.m. Contributions may be made to the American Red Cross Firelands Chapter, 300 Central Avenue, Sandusky, Ohio 44870 or the Humane Society of Erie County, 1911 Superior Street, Sandusky, Ohio 44870. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.