Helen E. Bond

Helen Elizabeth Rita Whitman Bond

The "Woman on the Go" (per her answering machine) moved peacefully onto a new adventure at the age of 95 on June 17, 2022. Born at home to Louis and Eleanor (Henley) Whitman on October 10, 1926, she was the second of nine children, also all born at home. Wow! Her lifelong love for travel and baseball grew from her childhood days on the bus alongside her coach/father's amateur baseball team. Helen excelled in high school, enjoying time spent with the debate team and theater club. She and her beloved husband of 33 years, Melvin R. (Bud) Bond, met upon his return from the Navy and were married on September 18, 1948. 

Helen is survived by their six children, Kenneth (Jay), Alanda (Andy) Hogan (Tom), Cynthia Morgan, Regina Bond, Terry (Kathy Russo) and Linda Nelle (Greg); 11 grandchildren, Graham and Elliot Hogan, Daniel and Evan Morgan, Jacob Kurowski and Kyle Kurbondski, Greg and Terrance Bond, Jaclyn Bond Pratt, and Garrett and Reed Nelle, who between them blessed her with ten great-grandchildren. Helen was very happy to have treated each of her grandchildren to either a cruise or tropical resort vacation upon their high school graduation, with her, of course.

Helen is also survived by her dearly loved siblings, Norma Koprivnik (Joe, deceased), Tom Whitman (Nancy), Amy Isaac (Nick), Alice Hanawalt (Jim, deceased) and Janet Arvin (Jim) and 28 nieces and nephews. Three of her siblings Mary Berger (Walt, deceased), Jean Johnston (Dick, deceased) and Lou (Mary Kay), preceded her in death.

Born and raised in Doylestown, OH, Helen lived for 65 years in the same neighborhood in Garfield Heights, OH. There wasn't a person who lived there she didn't know. Helen and best friend Jean Shafts (deceased) shared morning coffee and afternoon tea five days a week since they met in the mid 50's. When Marymount Hospital added a psych wing, the two debated which of them would be driven there first. Jean and her husband Jack were also the parents of six. Enough said. Jean's son, Lawrence Shafts, deserves a very special Thank You for being there for Helen for so many years. He did more than any of us realize, and his watchfulness was deeply appreciated.

If you bought Avon, you knew Helen. She was a proud Avon Presidential Sales Award winner for many years. Stouffer's Somerset Inn in Shaker Heights depended on her hard work, ever present smile, and "No one's a stranger" disposition to cater to their clients and her favorite Wednesday Rotary crowd. In the early 80's Helen struck out on her own as the "Have Suitcase-Will Travel'' nanny, providing 24/7 in-home childcare for working parents who needed to travel. She was keeper, chauffeur, cook, nurse and night watch woman for too many to count. Long after her services were needed her families continued to include her in their special occasions. Helen's family thanks all of you for welcoming her into your families.

Last, but certainly not least, Helen was a proud Red Coat volunteer for Cleveland's Playhouse Square, serving first on the cleaning/restoration crew, and then as an usher who truly enjoyed helping people navigate their way thru the various venues. Time at the theaters filled her life with joy and purpose and added many more to her boundless group of friends.

Helen's suitcase never made it to her attic. From her and Bud's years of camping with their brood (most often next to their 'camp family', aka: The Gallatin's), to her travels with family after Bud passed, she truly was the woman on the go. Around the States, to the Bahamas, Europe, Central America, Hong Kong, China, Hawaii and finally her bucket list trip in 2009 to New Zealand and Australia. By far her favorite was a solo adventure to Alaska in 1985. 

The family would like to thank all those at Danbury Assisted Living in Broadview Heights who kept her safe and comfortable, engaged and entertained these past few years, along with the staff at Miracle City Hospice for their assistance and care these past few months.

Helen's family invites you to celebrate her life and share your memories of her on Saturday, July 9, 2022.  Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 161 W. Clinton Rd., Doylestown, OH 44230, with Fr. Peter Morris, celebrant, followed by burial at the church cemetery. Guest registry available on this site. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation or Miracle City Hospice. As your memorial to Helen, please smile and greet a stranger. She knew none.

(Zak-Thacker & Monbarren, 330-658-2211)

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