Helen T. Boles

Helen Theresa Boles, age 85, of Strabane left us on January 28, 2020. Born January 1, 1935, in the midst of the Great Depression and raised during the food rationing period of WWII, she developed an instinct for kindness and generosity, for strength of character and independence. After graduating near the top of her class at Canonsburg High School in 1952, she obtained a position at the Transformer in Canonsburg, where her paychecks went to purchase for her parents their first automobile, an Oldsmobile. She went on to a career with TWA that took her to Kansas City, MO, Denver and NewYork City and allowed her to travel the globe, including to London, Paris, Rome, and Egypt. After retirement, she returned to her family home, built by her father a year before her birth.

Although she never had children of her own, with her self-possessed beauty and caring nature, she served as a role model, as a second mother, to nieces and family and to all who knew her, issuing love and largesse without judgment. She developed long-lasting relationships with candy-stripers she met while volunteering at the Canonsburg Hospital Snack Bar. She collected friends as others would material possessions. She loves all the little animals, especially the series of cats that shared her home.

Preceded in death were sisters, Virginia Martincic and Frances Boles, and parents, Vera Boles and John Boles. A devout Catholic, she was a member of St. Patrick's Church in Canonsburg. She was proud of her Slovenian heritage and loved to listen to the Slovene Radio Hour and to live music at the KSKJ, where she was vice president of the Slovenian Women's Union and SNPJ in Strabane.

She will be sorely missed by her companion of many years Caesar Riolo; nieces, Jeanie  Craig, Carol (Carl) Brill, Donna (John) Hopkins, and Kathleen (Dan) Derber; grand niece, Jeanette Brill; grand nephews, Jeffrey Craig and Kevin Brill; great-grand nephew, Sylar Jarc. Likewise, her absence will hang heavy in the hearts of dear friends, Barb, Beverly, Juanita, Kim, Mamie, Marjorie, Sylvia, and too many more to mention.

Friends will be received on Saturday, February 15, 2020, from 10:30 am until 12:30pm, the time of services in Sollon Funeral and Cremation Services, LTD, 30 East College Street, Canonsburg, Phillip L. Sollon, supervisor, 724-746-1000.  Private burial in St. Patrick's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests memorials to the KSKJ Lodge #153 Strabane, PA 15363, in Helen's memory. Visit www.sollon.com for more information and to leave condolences.

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