Helen Julia Mell

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Mell, Sr., her parents, John and Theresa Vasecka, her brothers, Edward and Charlie, her sister, Margaret Rogers, her brother-in-law, Evan Rogers, her step-daughters, Judy Naylor and Barbara Cleary, and her step-son LeRoy, Jr.

Surviving are her son, Robert Mell and his wife Eleanor, daughter Margo Hoke, son Michael Mell and his wife Diana, and daughter Tricia Deutsch and her husband Garry. Also surviving her are numerous much-loved nephews, nieces, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Helen was born in Pennsylvania and always referred to herself as a farm girl. She grew up working on her family’s farm alongside her brothers, Charlie and Eddie, as well as her mom and dad, until she moved away from home at the age of 17 to live with her sister and brother-in-law in Rantoul, Illinois.

Helen married LeRoy Mell on December 16, 1950 and they eventually moved to Arizona to raise their family.

Helen moved to Salem, Oregon in 2017 to live with and be lovingly cared for by her daughter, Margo. She was surrounded by two grandchildren, Zachary and Eric, and their children. She was also dearly loved by Margo’s two cats, Jax and Maggie.

Helen requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

Interment services are March 16, 2019 at 10:00 AM, Garden of Love Mausoleum, Green Acres Mortuary, 401 N Hayden Road, Scottsdale, Arizona.