Helen G Smith

It is with heavy hearts that we share the loss of Helen Gertrude Smith, who passed away on December 1, 2015 with the loving voices of her family and friends lingering in the air around her. Helen was born on Dec 14, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois, to Peter and Sophia Goraleski. She was the youngest of seven children, the only girl. Her older brothers looked out for her and protected her all their lives. With her passing, Helen is now reunited with her beloved husband, Arthur James Smith, who died in 1966. Helen leaves behind her children: Stephen James Smith, Susan Mary Phillips, Debra Therese Lazzarini and Regina Sophia Smith, eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

As a young woman, Helen traveled by train to California from Chicago with her sister-in-law’s children in her care. Helen settled first in Los Angeles, where she worked downtown at Barker Brothers in the late 40’s. She met her true love, Arthur, in 1947 and they were married in 1949. She was proud of saving up for her own wedding dress and being always careful with her money. She selected a beautiful dress, and went back and bought it once it went on sale. She remained faithful to Arthur all the days of her life. She lived in La Crescenta for more than 35 years, where she raised her four children, and later moved to Thousand Oaks, CA.

Helen was a strong, independent woman who was devoted to her children and grandchildren and raised them to be hard working, independent strong individuals. She was a great listener and confidante who cared about others and brought out their best. She was a generous person who gave of herself to friends and family by doing simple favors and spending time with them. She always tried to be helpful. Some of her delights in life were reading, hummingbirds, strawberries, sunsets, and babies.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Simi Valley on December 10, 2015 at 12:15 pm. A reception to celebrate Helen’s life will be held at Lost Canyons Golf Course in Simi Valley immediately following the Funeral Mass, starting at 1:30 pm until 5 pm, 12/10/15.

A private burial service for immediate family will be held at San Fernando Mission Cemetery on December 14, 2015 at

1 pm where she will join her deceased husband Arthur after forty nine years of being apart. Dear Helen, rest in peace. You have given us so much.

In lieu of flowers, Helen would like memorial donations to be made to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (http://www.ccfa.org).