Obituary

Helen Alice Soohy, age 99, passed away peacefully on October 26, 2025, at the Forest Hills Personal Care Home. She was born April 18, 1926, in Beaverdale, Pennsylvania to Dorothy and Michael Shuster. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Lawrence and sisters Loretta and Dorothy; and husband of 50 years Joseph Soohy. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was a loving mother to her seven surviving children including three sons: David (Karen Ohler), Michael (Carol Smith), and Philip (Betty Jo King) and four daughters: Diane (Pete) Skoner, Rita (Joe) Russell, Janet (Bob) Yang, and Marie (Tom) Kalinyak. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.
Helen graduated from Beaverdale High School in 1944. Believing it was important to do her part for the war effort, she spent two years in Baltimore working in a war plant while taking night courses at Strayer Business College. In 1947, she graduated from Cambria-Rowe Business College with a degree in secretarial science. She then worked for National Radiator in Johnstown for several years. For 25 years, she managed the CBW Schools Federal Credit Union, a business that was started in her own home.
As an active member of her community, she served as a trustee on the board of the Beaverdale Public Library for 29 years always encouraging others to read and to use the library. She was instrumental in raising significant funding for the addition of Maggie’s Room, a children’s center in the library. For many years through age 92, she served as volunteer for VITA preparing taxes for senior citizens. She wrote the Beaverdale News for the Portage Dispatch sharing information about local events, birthdays, and anniversaries; served on the Ladies Guild at St. Agnes Catholic Church; and served on the funeral committee at St. Michael Catholic Church.
After raising and educating her children, which she considered to be her greatest accomplishment, Helen decided to earn her own college degree. In 1988, at the age of 62, she proudly graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business economics with a concentration in accounting.
Helen was a wonderful and kind woman. She welcomed everyone into their home which was always filled with love and laughter. It would be hard to count the number of people she quietly helped throughout her life never wanting recognition for her kind deeds. She said that she was grateful to have lived “a good life.” And, her family and friends are grateful and blessed to have had her in their lives.
We would like to thank the Forest Hills Personal Care Home, ASCERA Care, and Nurse Ali for their exceptional care of our mother in her final years. Friends will be received at the St. Michael Catholic Church beginning at 9:00 AM on Saturday, November 8 until the time of the service at 10:30 AM, Father Jerzy Auguscik, OFM Conf., celebrant. Committal will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Beaverdale.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the Beaverdale Public Library (P.O. Box 606, Beaverdale, PA 15921) or St. Joseph Cemetery Association (c/o St. Michael Catholic Church, P.O. Box 103, St. Michael, PA 15951). Arrangements in care of Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” Condolences may be made at HindmanFuneralHomes.com