Helen Wannamaker, 61, of Lakeway, Texas, a corporate and client Technical Recruiter for Insperity, and volunteer for numerous charitable causes, died Friday, March 5, 2021, at Baylor St. Luke’s Hospital in Houston’s Medical Center. Following complex major surgery that successfully removed a benign ampullary tumor, she fought unexpected complications and passed into the Lord’s comforting arms.
Helen is survived by her loving husband Jeffrey Wannamaker, her daughter Melanie Wannamaker, pet retriever Harley, her parents Joseph and Helen Gangel, brothers Dave, John, and Joseph Gangel. Helen was surrounded by a large gregarious Hungarian family with many relatives currently thriving throughout the United States and Hungary. Helen’s grandmother was special to her, recently passing away shortly after her 100th year birthday. Helen Berki was a family matriarch and focus of love in a large family of 9 siblings and their families. Here the American dream began, escaping from Hungary with children after the Russian Invasion of 1956, receiving help from the Catholic Church for safe passage to the United States. Joseph Gangel remained to fight in the rebellion against Russian occupation and was taken captive before he later escaped to the United States through Austria.
Helen’s journey began with her birth on June 29, 1959 in Joliet, Illinois and shortly thereafter was raised in Strongsville, Ohio by her mother and father amongst a large Hungarian population. Helen spoke fluent Hungarian as her first language until elementary school when she learned English. She continued the tradition, speaking fluent Hungarian with her parents and grandmother. Helen attended Strongsville High School and later studied commodities trading before finding the many skills she would use to make a profound impact on so many people at work and in her personal life. A quiet girl discovered herself, blooming into a person that knows no stranger, gives more of herself, sometimes to her own weariness. Helen and her husband Jeff raised a beautiful daughter that exceeded hopes of a parent. Melanie had both parents by her side, cheering to become a successful athlete, Biological & Chemical Engineer, and an outstanding strong adult woman. After experiencing empty nest for a few years, Jeff made good on his promise to Helen to move to Austin, Texas, where she lived in the hills of Lakeway near Lake Travis. Helen reunited with longtime friends and made many new friends in her brief 2 years. She was content in the warmth of the sun, enjoying clear lake waters, sharing food she prepared, and watching spectacular sunsets. Thankful for life!
Donations in Lieu of Flowers
We appreciate the flowers that have been sent from caring friends and family! In lieu of flowers, my mom would cherish donations to Martha’s Kitchen, a non-profit ministry that has many of St. Martha’s Catholic Church own parishioners commit time. Helen made it an effort to volunteer every week to help feed those less fortunate.
Details on how to donate Martha’s Kitchen can be found here:
Martha’s Kitchen is one of the Parish’s primary and most visible mission activities. It is dedicated to Christ’s call to love one another and to actively fulfill the basic physical and spiritual needs of those who need our help.
Martha’s Kitchen opened in 1992 when Msgr. Tinney was Pastor, with Sister Maria Elena Lopez as Director.
Below is the video link of the edited video from last week's service with superior audio.
https://mediazilla.com/IuYRXjBDDS
