Helen J. Nass

Helen J. (nee Williams) Smelik Nass, age 98, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 29, 2011. Helen was born in Houtzdale, Pennsylvania on July 18, 1913. Throughout her life she was known by many names: Skids, Ramona, Joey, Blondie, mom, Aunt Helen, granny, and GG. She moved to Euclid, Ohio in 1952 and later met, fell in love and married Robert Nass in 1960. In 1967, they moved to Covina, California where she pursued passions in gardening, collecting (especially rocks and plants), traveling the desert, and watching soaps. Her other lifetime passions included dancing, cooking, canning, laughing, and staying in touch with friends and family. She had a fondness for her pets, especially her dachshund, Bootsy, her miniature poodle, Minute, and her two Mynah birds. Helen was a young woman during the Great Depression. She impressed many with her examples of quality frugality and her appreciation of the bounties of life and industry. While she only had a small four foot, ten inch frame, she was large in stature and had a strong presence when amongst others. Helen was elegant in dress and adornment when in public. She is survived by her sister, Martha Cianto of Dearborn, Michigan; son, Gene (Carol) Smelik of Morehead City, North Carolina; daughters, Charlotte Heasley and Marlene McGuffin of Ohio; daughter-in-law, Barbara Smelik of California; grandchildren, Jack Weiss of Washington, Gene Smelik Jr. of North Carolina, Debi Sullivan of Nevada, Christopher Smelik of Ohio, Patrick Smelik of North Carolina, Jesse Smelik of North Carolina, Jack Heasley of Ohio, Robert Heasley of Ohio, Duane Anderson of Ohio, Steven Anderson of Ohio, and Richard Anderson of Ohio; and 19 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by husbands John Smelik and Robert Nass, son John D. Smelik, and 10 siblings. She was well loved and will be remembered by all. Visitation will be held at Oakdale Mortuary, Glendora, California on Wednesday, August 3 from 5:30 to 8:30 PM. She will be laid to rest next to her husband, Robert Nass, on Thursday, August 4, and 11:00 AM at Oakdale Memorial Park, Glendora, California. Arrangements under the direction of Oakdale Mortuary, Glendora, CA.