Helen I. Miller

Helen Irene Miller, a resident of Wesbury United Methodist Retirement Community, passed away at Wesbury’s Grace Health Center on December 5, 2014, at the age of 99.

Helen was born in Meadville on May 9, 1915, the daughter of Lee Lawrence Vaughn and Dora Mildred Pearce Vaughn. When she was only three months old her mother died, and she was raised by her stepmother, Zelma Morea Tubbs Vaughn, who married Lee in late 1916.

When Helen was 12 years old she moved with her family to the Vaughn farm, located on what is now known as Vaughn Road, near Hadley, Pa.  At first she walked to a one-room schoolhouse at the corner of Vaughn Road and the Mercer Pike. Later, she rode her pony, a horse, or a bicycle to and from Sheakleyville High School, wearing overalls and carrying her school clothes with her. During the day the pony or horse was bedded in a stable in town. As farm children, she and her siblings were expected to help with chores around the house, barn, garden, and fields. For example, helping to milk the cows before leaving for school was one of Helen’s responsibilities. She graduated from high school in 1934.

Helen wanted to be a nurse, but she did not have an opportunity to pursue that dream. Instead, after graduation from high school, she worked as a house cleaner and babysitter for a family in Greenville. Later, she performed similar work for a Meadville family.

It was during that time that she met her first husband, Walter William Wescott, who was employed at the Hookless Fastener Company, later known as Talon, Incorporated. The two were married at the Vaughn farmhouse on June 27, 1936, and together they raised two daughters: Barbara Ann and Margaret Irene. Walter and Helen were divorced on November 21, 1966, after 30 years of marriage.

On June 30, 1967, Helen married Frank Carson (Mickey) Miller at Stone Church in Meadville. He was employed by The American Viscose Division of FMC Corporation and also served as the manager of the Elks Club for 15 years. Mickey passed away on March 22, 1970, after a two-year battle with lung cancer, and after his death Helen lived on in their West John Street apartment for 42 years. She was fond of cats, and although living alone, she enjoyed the company of a number of treasured pets through the years.

As a mother Helen worked outside the home long before that became as common as it is today. She was employed at Talon, where she served primarily as an inspector of the zippers produced there. Also, at Talon during World War II, she helped with the war effort by running grinders in the manufacture of gun triggers. In 1975, a contracture in one of her hands forced her into early retirement after 32 years of employment.

Although she was employed full-time, Helen’s daughters remember her as an excellent homemaker, who created a comfortable and attractive home. She was a devoted mother who supported her children in all their endeavors while they were growing up in Meadville. In later years she maintained close contact with her daughters and their families, and she enjoyed hearing about their lives and activities.

Although Helen was not able to become a nurse, that same spirit of caring was put to work throughout her life. She often helped family members or friends needing care, and she could be counted on to drive friends to medical appointments whenever needed. Even into her 90s she was known to be willing to brave wintery roads to drive a fellow parishioner to church. She enjoyed volunteering and was especially noted for her years of service in the gift shop at Wesbury.

Helen was a lifelong Methodist and was baptized as an infant at Stone Methodist Church in Meadville. While living on the Vaughn farm she attended services in Sheakleyville, but Stone Church was her spiritual home throughout most of her life. Well into her ninth decade she attended Sunday school and worship services there, and she often served as a greeter or helped with various church functions, coffee hours, and other activities.

She was a charter member of the Elks Social Auxiliary at Meadville Lodge 219, B.P.O.E. Her long association with the Elks began during her first marriage, when her husband was an active member and officer, and continued during her second marriage and beyond. She always appreciated the friendships and social activities that she enjoyed there.

Helen was a talented musician and could play the piano and organ by ear. She would often have her electric organ transported to the Elks Club, where she would provide dinner music or play for various meetings and rituals. She also enjoyed listening to music and had a large collection of classical music recordings.

She had a wide range of interests and took advantage of the various educational and cultural events to be found in the Meadville area. She enjoyed reading, attended concerts and plays, joined excursions to places of interest, attended educational offerings at her church, and took part in Senior Day on the Allegheny College campus. In addition to her Elks Auxiliary membership, she was active in the Women’s Club, the United Methodist Women, Retired Women of Talon, and the John Brown Society.

Helen is survived by her two daughters, Barbara Nakata and her husband Herbert of Pullman, Wash., and Margaret Riordan of Philadelphia. Survivors also include five grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, as well as her half-sister Florence Walls of Meadville.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, and stepmother; both husbands; her brother, Ralph L. Vaughn; and half-sisters Frances Junk, Georgia Stanford, Geraldine Rathbun, and Mary Lee McQuiston. Also preceding her was her longtime friend and companion, Charles Hildreth.

Cremation has taken place, and interment will be in Greendale Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Stone United Methodist Church, 956 S. Main St. or the Wesbury Foundation, 31 N. Park Ave., both of Meadville, PA 16335 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The arrangements have been entrusted to the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, 581 Chestnut St., Meadville where memories and condolences may be shared at waidfuneralhome.net.