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Helen Wakefield

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | December 13, 2021

Helen Wakefield, 97, of Lincoln Boro, passed away Thursday, December 9, 2021. She was born September 3, 1924 in Pittsburgh and was the daughter of the late Bales M. and Flora I. (McCracken) Marks. She was the wife of the late Theodore Wakefield who passed away March 6, 1997. She graduated from McKeesport High School on Tuesday, June 2, 1942. She and Theodore were married on Sunday, June 7, 1942. They were married for 54 years. Helen was a member of the First Christian Church, McKeesport where she also played the Piano for their services for the past twenty years until 2 weeks ago. She taught voice lessons and was also former Choir Director at the former Immanuel Presbyterian Church and St. Eugene Parish. She was a member of the former Liberty Borough Welcome Wagon Committee, the McKeesport YWCA, the Liberty Borough Mother's Club, the McKeesport Choraliers and the McKeesport Music Club where she was on the Scholarship Committee. She also belonged to various card clubs until 2019. In addition to being a homemaker, she taught Voice Lessons and was a Soloist at many area churches including Central Presbyterian Church and Immanuel Presbyterian Church.

Helen was a volunteer for McKeesport Meals on Wheels and Volunteer Patient Representative at McKeesport Hospital. She had worked for the former BCR Catering. She is survived by her daughters, Kathleen Olivere Wakefield of Versailles and Sarajaine (Nick) Vay of Lincoln Boro, son, David (Fran) Wakefield of Joelton, TN, grandchildren, Nick (Crystal) Vay of Brandon, UK, Mike (Kara) Vay of Glassport, Luke Vay of Lincoln Boro, and Beth Vay of Catonsville, MD, great-grandchildren, Hazel, Addison, Henrietta, and Eliana Vay, sister, Florence Shively of White Oak, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Raymond L. Olivere, brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Gladys Marks and brother-in-law, Clyde Shively. There is no visitation. Graveside service was held Monday, December 13, 2021 at the Mount Vernon Cemetery, Elizabeth Township. Ray Beard, Minister, officiated. Arrangements are by the Gilbert Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 6028 Smithfield Street, Boston, Elizabeth Township, (412) 751-5000 Drew J. Gilbert, Director. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church, 1025 McCleary Street, McKeesport, PA 15132 or McKeesport Meals on Wheels, 1406 Cornell Street, McKeesport, PA 15132. Condolences may be made at Gilbertfuneralhomeandcrematory.com

Originally published December 13, 2021.

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