Matilde Elena Groce

Greensboro - Helen T. Groce, beloved mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother, passed away on September 23, 2016. A memorial mass will be held St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church at 11 AM, Thursday, September 29, 2016, followed by inurnment at Westminster Gardens, 3601 Whitehurst Road, Greensboro, NC. The family will receive guests at the home following the inurnment.

She was born Matilde Elena Tamayo to the late Ralph and Tomasa Sordia Tamayo, in Lockhart, Texas. In 1955, she married her loving and devoted husband, Don Groce. Helen enjoyed volunteering with the St. Pius X Ladies Auxiliary. She was an accomplished seamstress, as well as, a talented musician mastering the French horn and piano.

Helen retired from Cone Mills after twenty years of dedicated service. For over 50 years, she has been a devout member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church. Helen was a very active working mother and wife whose husband and children were always her first priority. She was extremely generous, always wore a sweet smile, and was always a gracious hostess to whomever entered her home. Her children will treasure the memories of many family beach vacations, cookouts, and homemade ice cream.

Helen is survived by her sister, Margaret Dupree of Ft. Worth, TX; brother John Tamayo and wife Joanne of Durham; children, Laura and Gerald Whitfield of Lake Norman; Donald Groce and Meg Craven, Jennifer Groce and Todd Hall, Phyllis Groce and Peter Redling all of Greensboro; grandchildren, Garrett Whitfield of Atlanta, GA , Brian Whitfield of Raleigh, and Tamara Whitfield of Raleigh.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, (Priest Retirement Fund), 2210 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27408. Online condolences may be contributed and viewed at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.