Mrs. Helen Romage

Born on April 14, 1928, she was the daughter of the late John Andrew Raycher and Anna Drotovan Raycher.

Helen graduated from Mount Hope High School in 1946 as Salutatorian and from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Charleston with Honors in 1949. She followed her dream of working as a Registered Nurse at Beckley Hospital for three years.

She married Victor Joseph Romage on November 17, 1951 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Kilsyth, WV. After fifty-two years of marriage, Victor passed away on January 12, 2004.

Helen was the youngest of eight siblings: George Raycher; John Raycher; Joe Raycher; Anne Raycher Butler; Helena Raycher; Frank Raycher; and Elizabeth Raycher, all of whom preceded her in death.

In addition to her siblings and her parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Eric Romage, who died on May 24, 2009, and a son-in-law, Mark Pino, who died on February 17, 2013.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Victoria Ransom (Richard); Victor Romage, Jr. (Maggie); John Romage; Elizabeth Ryan (Terry); Mark Romage (Cathy); David Romage (Duwan); Frank Romage (Patrice); George Romage; Mary Greeson (Steve); Daniel Romage; Jennifer White (Mark); Jason Romage; and Wendy Sohonage (Bill); her grandchildren: Matthew Ransom (Julie); Rebecca Ransom (Sarah); Rachel Cole (Ryan); Megan Major (Kyle); Andrew Ransom; Thomas Ransom (Jen); Joshua Romage (Rachel); Natasha Kommel (Kevin); Joseph Ryan (Amy); Kaitlyn Wilkerson (Ryan); Rigby Romage; Sayer Romage; Marchelle Bowling (Ben); Heather Judy (Ty); Emily Trollinger (Caleb); Micah Greeson; Christopher Romage (Zeenath); Nikolas Romage; Sara Romage; Jamieson Romage; Emma Pino; and Molly Pino; and her great-grandchildren: Henry and Silas Ransom; Emeline, Violet, Felicity, and Benjamin Brady-Ransom; Owen and Noah Cole; James, Samuel, William, and Elizabeth Major; Isaac, Sophie, Lily, and Nora Romage; Callie Romage; Scarlett and Jack Ryan; Puck Wilkerson; Liam and Alayna Romage; Lincoln, Kennedy, and Harrison Bowling; Tucker Judy; and numerous others in her community who lovingly referred to her as “Mom” or “Grandma.”

Helen instilled in her family a love of reading, an appreciation of nature, and a strong work ethic. She showed compassion to all those she encountered, made friends easily, and welcomed everyone into her home and at her table. Helen leaned on her faith during life’s challenges and wove her beliefs into every day actions. Her story-telling and her quick wit will be missed by all who knew her.

Helen’s family is grateful for the care and support provided by Bowers Hospice House and by her devoted caregivers, Caitlin, Brittany, Amy, and Ginny.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2024 at Sts. Peter and Paul, Oak Hill, WV with Dr. Father Jojan Joseph and Rev. Father Leonard Smith co-celebrating. Pastor Delmas Wolfe will deliver the eulogy. The family will receive visitors one hour prior.

Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, Helen asked that donations be made to a children’s charity, such as St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.