Helen Langton

Helen I. Langton
Helen Irene Langton (nee Tomaiko), 91, passed away October 16, 2015.

Helen was born January 4, 1924, in Wilcox, PA, to the late John and Mary Tomaiko, first generation immigrants from Kraviany, Austria-Hungary, in what is now Slovakia, in the early 1900s. She resided in Suffield Twp. for 44 years until she recently moved in with her daughter and son-in-law Louise and Joe in Edinburg Twp.

Helen was a graduate of Central High School in Akron, OH. She was a member of St. Joseph Parish. During her years of active parish life, she served as the school's librarian and CCD secretary and was a member of the choir, Altar Society, lay ministry, and helper with the parish festival store. She retired in 2000 from Field High School where she served as secretary to the treasurer.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death in 1971 by her husband of 26 years Wellington (Wally); infant son Paul Martin; son-in-law Paul Harrington; and siblings Wilma, John, Steve, Mary, Ann, Francis, Paul, Joe, and Magdalene.

Left to cherish her loving memory are Helen's 11 children, Margaret (Chuck) Wright; John (Shirley); Tom (Billie); Carol Ann (Don) Phillips; Steven (Janice); Mary Harrington; David (Paula); Louise (Joe) Piltz; Mark (Donna); Richard; and Joseph (Beth); 21 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren; brother and sister-in-law George and Patricia Tomaiko; sister, Julia Penov; and, a host of nieces and nephews.

Helen was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, sister, and friend. She is remembered by those who knew her as a woman of integrity, a person who was level-headed, practical, precise, supportive, and protective of her family. She had the knack of always being able to see things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done. She was an island of calm in a sea of chaos.

Mom was an excellent seamstress, often making draperies, slip covers, wedding dresses and more, and she also had a talent for knitting and crocheting. Her home was always beautifully and warmly decorated. Her table settings, whether elegant or casual, could easily have been the cover page for any magazine.

Mom was a great cook and we always seemed to have well-rounded meals. Once in a while, though, she would let us have breakfast for dinner, which we always thought was so neat (pancakes or cold cereal for supper – yippee!), but it was Mom who received the greater treat, a reprieve from the kitchen! She was a baker extraordinaire and we will always remember her baking thousands of cookies every December and making the most delicious strawberry shortcake. In her later years, she took pleasure in eating out, enjoyed coconut cream pie, and always had a freezer full of Klondike bars.

Mom was a remarkable woman. She loved deeply and was deeply loved, and now she is deeply missed.

Calling hours will be on Thursday, October 22, 2015, from 5 to 8 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 North Canton Road, Akron, OH. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 23, 2015, at 11 am, at St. Joseph Parish, 2643 Waterloo Rd, Mogadore, OH 44260, with Rev. Thomas S. Acker celebrating. Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Akron, OH. The Holy Rosary will be recited at 9:15 am Friday at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph Parish.