Helen Catherine Lazar

After graduating from Bishop Shanahan High School, she married William Straitwell Sr. in 1963 and was married for 28 years. She later married John Lazar in 1999 and was married for 16 years, until he passed away in 2015.

Helen held many positions over her lifetime including being a dedicated and loving wife and mother. Other positions she held include Church Secretary, Executive Secretary to the Executive Director at the Arkansas Veterans Home, Coordinator with the Indiana State Police, Missing and Endangered Children Division, and Administrative Assistant at Step Up Suncoast, Inc., Rise and Shine Early Learning Program, just to name a few. Helen retired from Step Up Suncoast, Inc. in 2023.

She loved sports, including college football and basketball. Her favorite football team was the Florida Gators and favorite basketball team was Villanova University. Her love of sports started when she played basketball throughout her high school years. Other hobbies and interests were 50’s music as she loved to dance, and puzzle books of all kinds. She had a sharp mind and a great sense of humor.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Mary, both husbands, William and John, son Richard Straitwell, and daughter Janet (Straitwell) Miller. She is survived by her children: William (Wendy) Straitwell, Jr., Diane Straitwell, James Straitwell, and Christopher Lazar as well as Dean (Christy) Dixon, who was very much like a son to her. Additionally, she is survived by her grandson, Ryan Miller, sister Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” King, and numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Saints Peter and Paul the Apostles Catholic Church on 75th Street West in Bradenton, Florida on Saturday, September 12th, at 10:00 AM. Reception for family and friends to follow immediately after the service, on site, at the Moretti Center. Cremation arrangements and an everlasting memorial are being handled by Robert Toale and Sons, Bradenton, Florida. www.RTSManasota.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen’s memory may be made to St.Judes Children’s Hospital or Tidewell Hospice of Bradenton, FL.