Helen Weiant Yost

Helen Weiant Yost, 89, of Bonita Springs FL, formerly of Newark, passed away Sunday, November 20, 2011, surrounded by her family. The youngest of three, she was born December 8, 1921, in Newark and was a 1939 graduate of Newark High School.

Helen attended Dennison University and Wells College. She was a member of 2nd Presbyterian Church, the 20th Century Club, Monday Talks, and the Rotary Anns. Helen volunteered at Licking Memorial Hospital. Helen moved to Bonita Springs, FL in 1985.

Preceded in death by her husband, William T. Yost; parents, Carl and Mathilde Weiant, brother, Carl Weiant III; sister, Anne Williams; and son-in-law, Joe Beiting. Helen will be missed by her loving daughters, Janet (Bill) Maney, Cincinnati, Cathy Beiting, Cincinnati, and Laurie (Tom) Clements, New Albany; 8 grandchildren, Jason, Michael, Evan, Thik, J.D., Sara, Andrew, and Chelsea; 6 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Carol Yost; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

The memorial service will be held at 12 Noon Tuesday, November 22, 2011 at SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST CHAPEL, 1051 E. Johnstown Road, Gahanna. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Helen’s memory to Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Dr. Newark, OH 43055 or Angel’s Rest Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 152 New Richmond, OH 45157. To share memories of Helen, visit www.schoedinger.com.

Mom came into the world at her families’ residence on Hanover Rd., in Newark , in December 1921. She joined a sister, Anne and a brother, Carl. Life on Hanover Rd. yielded a great setting for a happy childhood that was filled with family vacations, lots of pets and siblings whom Mom cherished. Mom spoke about Carl and Anne often and with great affection throughout her life. Unfortunately, Carl (as well as a dear cousin) experienced an awful death in the Pacific Ocean during World War II. Anne lived a longer life and succumbed to cancer in 1984. During these last weeks, we sisters have enjoyed the thoughts of the reunion that Mom will have with her siblings. What a wonderful time that will be!

Mom attended both Dennison University and Wells College after high school. However, these pursuits were not of the highest interest to her and she ended up back in Newark where she pursued a career as a secretary. This gave her the opportunity to spend more time with her high school sweetheart, Bill, whom she later married in 1944. Mom and Dad were married at the home of Aunt Genieva, in Hudson New York. Mom traveled there by train to join Dad, who was serving as a transport pilot in the war. Mother told us that her father allowed them to marry because of the war situation and what had happened to her brother Carl. Their honeymoon was spent in New York City at the Commodore hotel. Mother related the story that when her uncle discovered that they had no hotel reservations in NY, he called the hotel and made arrangements. We guess that some details were just forgotten by Dad….. Mother then returned to Newark and Dad joined the European theater.

Mom and Dad eventually settled down in Newark and raised a family which consisted of 3 very beautiful daughters (hee hee….Mom’s words). Mom was a great wife and mother, always attending to the needs of the family before taking time for herself. She and Dad enjoyed many friendships and social outings. In later years they took nice vacations with their friends, Dick and Phyllis Hall. The Halls were also their fierce competitors in card games….usually Hearts. When the 3 brother –in –laws (Bill, Tom and Joe) entered the scene they were loved as much as the daughters. Mother always enjoyed the attention of men. We think she liked the bear hugs. Mom was also very proud and fond of the many personalities of her grandchildren (8) and great grandchildren (6).

Mom was a great companion to Dad as he entertained many customers of his business during evenings out at their favorite restaurant, The Alibi. Mom usually ordered lobster tails and she always brought home one of them for her daughters to enjoy. I can still see her cutting the tail into 3 parts. The daughters’ first trip to The Alibi was promised when we could bring home good report cards. When that happened, we were so excited that we did not eat all day long in anticipation of the great meal. By the time we got to the restaurant, we were so hungry that we snarfed down the entire large relish tray……. We were then so full that we had to exercise in the bathroom!

Mom pursued several volunteer opportunities over her lifetime including driving children to Health camps, and volunteering at Licking Memorial and North Collier Hospitals. She delivered hundreds of “Meals on Wheels” in Bonita Springs. She only gave up this latter interest a couple of years ago because she got lost during several deliveries. We tried to practice her route with her, but to no avail. She may still have a couple of meals in the trunk of her car.

Mom and Dad retired to Bonita Springs, Florida as full time residents in 1985 when their love of the area and fishing could not be denied. This was preceded by 40 years of visiting the area. Mother’s parents had been snow birds starting in the 1950’s. For the first couple of years of their retirement you might only have been able to find them in the bay waters of Bonita Beach fishing in the mangroves. Mom usually was the one who brought in the better catch. She just had the finesse with the rod and reel! Eventually, old habits re-emerged as Mom and Dad ardently pursued volunteer efforts in the community. Dad usually spearheaded the efforts and Mom was close by his side. Mom and Dad had many strong friendships with people in their condominium building, fishermen of the area and church acquaintances.

In the last 10 years after Dad died, Mom continued to enjoy her many friendships. We were happy that she also enjoyed watching unending re-runs of MASH, Matlock, Murder She Wrote and Raymond on TV. We knew that she was safe, nestled in her blue chair with the remote in her hand. She also enjoyed playing Scrabble and Bridge.

Mother was lucky to have a most cherished friend in Donna Dalke. Mom and Dad had known Donna originally as the manager of their rental unit and a strong bond developed. Donna was very instrumental in attending to Mom both socially and with practical needs. They, along with another friend, Gail, dined out often and usually went to the establishments which provided the best happy hour. One restaurant, The Pewter Mug, would have their cocktails (Jack Daniels on the rocks until her dying day!) on the table as soon as they sat down. Mom always enjoyed eating in the “bar” area of a restaurant because that provided the best opportunity to watch people.

In June of this year Mom was diagnosed with cancer. We quickly gathered in Florida and flew Mom back to Ohio. We had a little trepidation of transporting Mom by air as we were afraid that she would tell airport security that she was being kidnapped. She so loved Florida and her condo that she never wanted to leave the state. Mom was cushioned down in the loving security of the Clements’s home. For the next 5 months, Mom was treated like a queen as she enjoyed many gourmet dinners cooked by the 2 sisters who have phenomenal cooking skills. Unfortunately, Cathy inherited Mom’s cooking skills…..very few! There were also many events, including the annual Yost Golf tournament, weekends at the lake and long drives in the Ohio countryside. It seemed that Mom was seeing the beautiful fall foliage for the first time and this was partially true since she had not been north in many years in the Fall, and had not been to Ohio at all since 2007. She kept announcing “Look at that one, look at that one!!” She was referring to the beautifully colored leaves on the trees. During this time Mom enjoyed visits by many friends and relatives. If anyone offered to give her a back rub a smile quickly spread across her face. There were many afternoons of Scrabble and reading magazines (she liked the ones which had a lot of pictures). We are so thankful for the opportunity of spending time with Mom during these last months as we enjoyed many memories and laughter.

Mom, you did a great job in your almost 90 years here on earth! You were a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother! You touched the lives of all of us in so many happy and funny ways! We will miss your personality immensely….. until we see you again!

Enjoy your first class seating! We love you!

Janet, Cathy and Laurie