Helen B. Moore

Helen B. Moore, 96, of Tiffin, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 30, 2014, at Mercy Tiffin Hospital. Helen was born Jan. 27, 1918, to Victor P. and Benedicta M. Meaney at the family farm south of Ashtabula. Farm life taught her a good work ethic, discipline and the importance of family. She graduated from Ashtabula High School in 1935 and worked in jewelry at a retail store in Ashtabula. She met her husband-to-be, Joseph M. “Joe” Moore, at a resort in the Pocono Mountains the day before he shipped out for World War II. Written correspondence was followed by a post-war wedding May 31, 1947, in Jefferson. The newlyweds made their home in Brooklyn, New York. The couple moved to Tiffin in 1952 and joined St. Mary Catholic Church. Together they raised three children, Joe (Linda) Moore of Tiffin, Tom (Mary Pat) Moore of Toledo and Sue Moore Kinney of Delaware. Helen started her teaching career in 1961 at the Seneca County School of Opportunity. After 12 years of night school, she graduated from Bowling Green State University in 1971. Helen retired from Hopewell-Loudon Schools in 1985. Retirement afforded her time to travel and she visited Colombia, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Europe, Australia and much of the U.S. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels, the Betty Jane Center, Community Hospice Care, Tiffin-Seneca Public Library, The Ritz Theatre, at the gift shop at St. Francis Home and in the classroom at Washington Elementary with her daughter-in-law, Linda. Helen experienced parasailing, white-water rafting and numerous vacations with family. She enjoyed gardening, baking, reading and doing puzzles. She always helped others, made time for friends and kept in touch with relatives. Helen leaves a legacy of determination, faith and tireless energy. Grandkids’ one-word descriptions of “Granny” include: loving, witty, quick, adventurous, spirited, vigorous, bold, kind, independent, generous, determined and hardworking. Survivors include her three children; 11 grandchildren, Patrick, Ryan (Carrie) and Erin Moore, Chris (Katie), Dan (Liz), Joe (Alison) and Jon (Gretchen) Moore, and Evan, Mac, Joe and Griffin Kinney; as well as two great-grandchildren, Maxine and Harrison Moore. Her husband Joe died in 1984. She also was preceded in death by three brothers, Pat, Dick and Jerry Meaney, and two sisters, Rita Mertes and Dorothy Manyo. A celebration of life Mass will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at St. Mary Catholic Church, Tiffin, with the Rev. Gary Walters officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Tiffin. Friends may visit and share stories with the family from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, and from 10-10:45 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Seneca County Opportunity Center. Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.