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Helen Jane Maple
Helen Jane Maple died on Nov. 7, surrounded by her family at the home of her son in Red Hook, New York. Helen was 103 years old and active up to the week of her death.
Helen was born Helen Jane Thomas in Dungannon, Ohio, the daughter of the late Clarence and Mary (Speidel) Thomas, and lived most of her life in Columbiana County. She is a graduate of the 1939 class of Augusta High School where she played several sports and lettered in basketball. Helen had four siblings: Margaret (Peg Hess) and brothers Edward and Earl, who predeceased her. Her sister, Ruth Knecht, lives in Lisbon, Ohio.
Helen married classmate William (Bill) Maple of Kensington, Ohio in 1940, and shared the operation of a hardware store and a funeral home (now the Maple-Cotton Funeral Home). She was employed by the Farmer's National Bank as a teller and bookkeeper. After retiring, Helen and Bill moved to a home they built in Hanoverton. Bill predeceased her in 2010 and Helen moved to Salem, Ohio. Two years ago she moved to Red Hook, New York.
Helen and Bill raised a son, William (Tom) Maple (wife, Barbara) of Red Hook, N.Y., and a daughter, Karen Turner of Kissimmee, Florida. Helen has four grandchildren: Wendy Turner, Steven Turner, Cecilia Maple and Bridget Maple-Craft (husband, Mike Craft); and a great-granddaughter, Katie Turner. She is also survived by four nieces.
Helen was an animal lover and is survived by her great grand-doggies Izzie, Elliot, Tilly, and Sara, and guinea pigs Ginger and Snap. Helen will be buried with her husband in the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.
Helen's secrets for a long life? Keep active, stay feisty, eat lots of cheese, and take time to feed the squirrels.
Arrangement were trusted to Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 S. Broadway, Red Hook, NY.
11/16/24