Helen St. Clair

Helen St. Clair, 97, a long-time resident of Loysburg, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024, at Homewood Retirement Center in Martinsburg.

She came to Homewood in 2019 after living independently for 13 years following her husband’s passing in 2006. Helen and husband Robert came to Loysburg in 1959 when he was named principal of Northern Bedford High School. 

Helen was the daughter of Torrence (Tony) and Grace Shaffer, apple growers and nursery owners in Penn Run, Indiana County. 

She is survived by sons Scott (wife Angela) St. Clair and Dennis (wife Denise) St. Clair, and daughter Debra (husband Mark) Lumadue; four grandchildren: Kelly St. Clair, Matthew (wife Samantha) Lumadue, Brandon (fiancée Anne) Lumadue, and Patrick (wife Sarah) St. Clair, as well as two great-grandchildren Natalie Lumadue and Elise St. Clair; sister Mildred (Mid) Grove and two sisters-in-law Joanne St. Clair and Sally Shaffer; and many nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert (Bob) St. Clair, Jr .; and five siblings: Margaret (Peg) Shaffer, Wayne Shaffer, Jean Copeland, Bob Shaffer and Jay Shaffer.

A 1944 graduate of Indiana High School, she first worked for Henry Hall, a college bookstore and office supply retailer in Indiana. Later in life she enjoyed working with students as a teacher’s aide and library assistant at Smith Elementary School, Hopewell.

Helen was a long-time member of the Loysburg United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School. 

She held several offices in the Junior Women’s Club and later in life enjoyed attending Pennsylvania State Teachers’ Retirement meetings, Red Hat Society lunches and volunteering at Meals-On-Wheels. 

Helen was a wonderful mother – she really, really loved being a grandma - and role model for all who knew her. Always had a positive view of life.  She and Bob traveled across America several times, cruised a little and visited Europe and Hawaii.  Her favorite stop after shopping and errands was enjoying a chocolate soft serve cone at Meadows in Duncansville.  

Visitation was held in the Bice Memorial Chapel at Homewood, 437 Givler Drive, Martinsburg, Monday, April 22, 2024. Pastor and Homewood Chaplain Jerry McCuller officiated.  Burial will be private at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests you consider a contribution in Helen’s memory to the Homewood Foundation, online: https://homewood.com/foundation or by mail: Homewood Foundation, 437 Givler Drive, Martinsburg, PA 16662.

Lastly, the family offers our sincere thanks and gratitude to the nurses and patient caregivers in the Homewood Assisted Living and Memory Care Units who gave Helen compassionate care during her time as a resident.   

Arrangements by Stone Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc .; Woodbury, (www.stonefuneralhomewoodbury.com)

This obituary originally ran April 18, 2024, with the incorrect name below the photo. Our sincere apologies to the family. The Herald staff regrets the error.