Helen L. Burns, 187 Wick Ave. , Hermitage, passed away at 1:45 a.m. Friday (4-17-09) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System following an extended illness. She was 78.

Mrs. Burns was born November 4, 1930 in Chicago , IL a daughter of the late Charles and Catherine Fitzgerald Herald.

As a young girl, she and her family moved to the area in 1938. Mrs. Burns attended the former Sacred Heart Parochial Grade School , Sharon , and was a 1947 graduate of Hickory High School , Hermitage.

Following her marriage to Fredrick J. Burns on November 27, 1948, Helen focused on raising her four children. During this time she became an accomplished seamstress, sold Avon products and was a Girl Scout troop leader at Sacred Heart Church . In 1980 she enrolled at the former Mercer County Vo-Tech near Mercer where she received her LPN degree. She began her nursing career at what was then Sharon General Hospital and subsequently became employed at UPMC Horizon Hospital, Farrell; ARC of Mercer County, Hermitage; Clepper Manor, Sharon; and Orange Village Care Center, Masury, from which she retired in 2002. Helen specialized in working with mentally challenged people.

A devout catholic, she was a 70 year member of the Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon. She was also a member of The Blue Army of Fatima and the Catholic Daughters of America, Court # 507, Sharon.

Helen loved crafts and enjoyed needlework, painting and making stained glass. She was also an avid quilter and belonged to the Shenango Valley Quilt Guild. Helen belonged to a number of card clubs earlier in her life and looked forward to tending to her flower gardens each spring.

Following the death of her husband Fred on October 22, 1990, she started to travel the world extensively, having gone to Ireland twice, as well as several European countries. Helen lived a full life and will be missed dearly by her family and many friends.

Surviving are: three daughters, Pamela M. Hall and her husband Ricky, Hubbard , Ohio ; Patricia A. Vandervort, Sharpsville; and Teresa C. Trontel and her husband James, Hermitage; a son, Michael G. Burns and his wife Cynthia, Twinsburg, Ohio; five grandchildren, Megan and Kevin 'Buster' Hall; and Zachary, Matthew and Christopher Trontel; three sisters, Marie Madden, Columbia, SC; Annella Ogden and her husband James, Vista, CA; and Theresa Eichman, Carlsbad, CA; a brother, William 'Chuck' Herald and his wife Faye, Hermitage; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Besides her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by an infant son, Charles Burns.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Cancer Care Center of Sharon Regional, 2320 Highland Rd., Hermitage, PA 16148.

Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday (4-21-09) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St. , Sharon .

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Wednesday (4-22-09) in Church of the Sacred Heart, Sharon, with the Rev. Henry Andrae, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Mary's Cemetery, Hermitage. 12141