Helen Spencer

Helen Spencer, age 93, fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, May 2, 2010, at the home of her daughter, Gerri Mills. She was born on June 13, 1916, in Elkhorn, W.Va., to the late Martin and Anna Sekela. On June 12, 1954, she married Russell Spencer, a retired Lieutenant with the Warren Fire Department. Helen worked at the Saratoga Restaurant in Warren for 52 years, retiring at the age of 73. She was such an important figure in the downtown community that a proclamation was bestowed upon her by then Warren Mayor Daniel Sferra, making February 23 “Helen Spencer Day.” A resident in Warren since 1937, she was a member of St. Nicholas Church, its choir, and the St. Nicholas Altar Society. Helen and her husband moved to Columbus in August 2008 to be near their daughter and son-in-law, Bob and Gerri Mills, because of failing health. She is survived by her husband, Russell Spencer; daughters, Gerri (Robert) Mills, and Maryann (Gene) Baker of Long Beach, Calif.; grandchildren, Michele Fullerton of Coppell, Texas, Cheryl Mills of Columbus, Ohio, Pamela Wiley of Hollywood, Calif., Julianne Lee of Grove City, Ohio, Michael Mills of Gahanna, Ohio, and Scott Baird of Long Beach, Calif.; great grandchildren, Tai, Keith, Joshua, Joseph, Benjamin, and Broderick; and great-great granddaughter, Arabella. She was preceded in death by three brothers and five sisters. Friends may call from 7-9 p.m. on Friday, May 7, 2010, at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio. A funeral service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday at St. Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church, 2219 Summit St., Columbus, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the church, or to Odyssey Healthcare, 540 Officenter Place, Suite 100, Gahanna, Ohio 43230. Visit www.schoedinger.com to leave condolences.