Helen T Cascarino

Helen T. (Deck) Cascarino died July 8, surrounded by loved ones, after valiantly battling a short and sudden illness. While she was with us a relatively short 63 years, she lived them in full, spreading joy, caring for others, and taking great pride in her family.

Helen was born in Myerstown on October 30, 1951, the youngest of five children of Raymond and Helen (Batdorf) Deck. As a sprightly and spirited young girl, she was a cheerleader while attending Lebanon Catholic High School, graduating in 1969.

Two years later, she married her Lebanon Catholic classmate James A. Cascarino of Lebanon. The two were together for 34 years and had two sons, whom Helen talked about and doted on a lot, taking great pride in the leaders they had become: Jason (42), CEO of the award-winning Spark Program, a national education nonprofit organization based in Chicago, IL; and Jamie (39), principal of Jackson and Fort Zeller Elementary Schools in the Eastern Lebanon County School District.

Helen started out her own career as a beautician, but spent most of her working life in the medical field. For more than a decade she served as a dental assistant, first with Drs. John and Frank Hoffman in Lebanon and then for the Lebanon Veterans Administration Medical Center. She went on to serve at the VA for more than 25 years, retiring recently as a program administrator.

However, Helen was perhaps best known in the area for her modest stint as a candy-making entrepreneur. She spearheaded a small chocolate and sweets business in the 1990s called Kountry Kandies. The business was successful for a time, selling assortments of candies wholesale, at trade shows and retail outlets.

Making candy and baked goods was a defining passion Helen pursued throughout her life. It was one of the principal ways she brought a little bit of joy to those around her. From big events to major holidays to the littlest coming-over, family and friends eagerly awaited and savored Helen’s treats. Decorated chocolate-covered pretzels were a particular favorite, which her family will continue to make and give to each other and to others in her memory.

Helen was known for giving in other ways. She was a prolific crocheter, regularly making baby blankets and donating them to the Hershey Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Now, with the more than a hundred rolls of yarn remaining from her supply, Helen’s sister Catherine will organize a group of women to continue making baby blankets to give to Hershey Medical Center in Helen’s honor.

Indeed, there are many women standing at the ready to take up this charge. Helen had a close and fun network of friends, built over a lifetime. For more than thirty years, Helen took part in a card club, a group of women meeting monthly to play pinochle, her favorite game. A while ago, she was active in the Myerstown Junior Women’s Club, where she once served as its president. More recently, and admiringly, she spent much of the last decade of her life regularly journeying across the country with many of her women friends. From annual trips to Myrtle Beach, to a once-in-a-lifetime cruise in Alaska, to a month-long road trip through the Western United States, Helen shared joy, adventure and companionship with those closest to her.

Of course, sprinkled in between were a lot of memorable moments with the family she cared so much for and enjoyed. Helen’s older sister Rose Kreider, late wife of Jonus Kreider of Myerstown, preceded her in death. Meanwhile, she is survived by her remaining siblings: Cyril Deck, husband of Celie Deck of Lebanon; Rich Deck, husband of Sue Deck of Schaefferstown; and Catherine (Deck) Rossini, wife of Burnell Rossini of Womelsdorf.

Helen also leaves behind her two sons and their families, including seven grandchildren whom she adored: Jason Cascarino, husband of Jennifer Kovar of Oak Park, IL and their sons Finley (7) and Wylie (4); and Jamie Cascarino and his wife Dena of Lebanon and their sons Colin (17), Kyle (14), Cameron (12), Ryan (11) and Nathan (9). Many cousins, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews round out the family she loved dearly.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 14 between 6 and 8 pm at Rohland Funeral Home, 508 Cumberland St., Lebanon. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, July 15 at 10 am at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 2 North Eighth Street, Lebanon with private interment to be made in Holy Cross Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to Gift of Life Donor Program at donors1.org/about-us/contribute/. Share condolences at rohlandfh.com.