Helen Rita Greene

Helen Greene, beloved mother to six children, passed away peacefully in Akron, Ohio after recently celebrating her 106th birthday. Helen was a devout Catholic, a devoted wife, mother, and (great-great) grandmother, an expert knitter and cross-stitcher, an adventurous traveler, and an avid card and game player. If you had the (mis)fortune to be sitting next to her in a game, you knew that you would likely be the loser! 

Helen was born in Aurora, Illinois, the second of five children born to Peter and Margaret Linden. As the family had but a two-bedroom house, she spent much of her high school years living with her aunts Louise Melchert and Dorothy Melchert. She helped her Aunt Dorothy teach dance for many years, excelling in ballet and tap dance. 

Helen graduated from Madonna High School in Aurora, IL in 1938 before attending Rosary College (now Dominican University) in River Forest, IL, where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1942. She was a member of the KappaGamma Pi honor society due to her exceptional grade point average. While in high school, Helen’s brother Jerry asked her to be the date for a friend of his ata school dance at Marmion Academy. This blind date led to her meeting the love of her life, Charles E. (Chuck) Greene. Helen and Chuck’s courtship continued throughout their college years, with their wedding occurring on March 6, 1943. The young couple began their life together while Chuck completed his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the University of Notre Dame. They lived in various locations in Indiana throughout their early years, with Helen briefly working as a chemist at G.E. X-Ray. Then, she became busy in her new role as mother as they celebrated the births of four daughters in 4 and a half years. The family moved to Akron, Ohio in 1949, where two more children were born. 

Chuck’s job as a chemical engineer at General Tire in Akron came to an end in 1969, which resulted in moves to Marion, VA for five years, Lincoln, NE for four years, and Port Washington, WI for 30 years, where Helen loved to watch the waves crash against the breakwater. 

Chuck passed away on September 24, 1996, yet Helen continued to live in Port Washington on her own and was an active member of St. Mary’s Church, a tireless volunteer for the Ozaukee County Hospital, and an eager traveler, especially to see members of her growing family. Her life went full circle as she moved back to Akron, Ohio in 2008, where she became a resident of St. Martha Manor, which is the refurbished former St. Martha Parish Church and School that the family attended during their prior years as Akron residents. She was an active member of Blessed Trinity Parish, enjoyed playing cards with other apartment residents, read at least one book each week (and usually more), knitted caps and scarves for cancer patients, and made more cross-stitch pictures, blankets, and other handcrafted items than can be counted. In Akron, she lived close to about 75 family members, so there was always a birthday or other celebration happening, leading to nearly weekly family gatherings. 

Helen is survived by their 6 children: Linda (William) Collins of Catonsville, MD; Kathleen (Karl) Boyes of Akron, Ohio; Mary (Donald) Crano of Akron, Ohio; Paula (John) Reddersen of Gravois Mills, MO; Charles Greene of Napolean, Ohio; and Patricia (Jesse) Silverstein of Littleton, CO. Her direct family tree has grown to include 20 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 18 great-great grandchildren. When spouses are included, the “Greene Clan” includes about 120 individuals living from coast to coast. Helen also is survived by her sister, Rosemary Abel of Aurora, IL; sister-in-law, Kitty (Karl) Carey Gerling of Tucson, AZ; brother-in-law, Jerry Jungels of Warsaw, IN; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, June 5, 2026 at Blessed Trinity Parish, 300 East Tallmadge Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44310. 

The viewing and visitation will be held at the church from 10 until 11:00 am, prior to the mass on Friday.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Blessed Trinity Parish, www.blessedtrinityakron.org.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.donovanfuneralhome.com/obituaries.