Helen Marie Denham

Helen Marie (Holleyoak) Denham, age 89 & 11/12, of New Philadelphia, went home to the Lord on February 1, 2013 at Select Specialty Hospital of Akron following complications from surgery, just a few weeks before her 90th birthday. She was born at February 19, 1923, the daughter of the late Edward & Wilma (Graff) Holleyoak.

Helen began working for her grandfather, Walter C. Graff, in the office of the family meat market while still in high school. She graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1940 and continued to work at the Graff family store before taking a position at Allied Machine. She then began a thirty-plus year career with Joy Manufacturing, where she retired after serving as their payroll account analyst.

Helen was an avid sports enthusiast, particularly of the 1940 NPHS state champion basketball team who she was thrilled to see inducted into the inaugural New Philadelphia Athletic Hall of Fame class in January 2013.
She was well-known as a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of decades of New Philadelphia basketball, football, tennis and track programs and players, and was fondly known by many athletes as “Grandma Helen”. She was a lifelong member of the Community of Christ Church in New Philadelphia. Helen also loved to knit, and was a regular participant in a local knitting circle.

Helen is survived by her son Dale (Pixie) Denham of New Philadelphia, granddaughter Christine (Daniel) Hugo of Frisco, Texas, granddaughter Kimberly (Pete) Kavadas and grandson Michael (Heather) Denham all of New Philadelphia; great-grandchildren Haley and Jaden Hugo of Frisco, TX, Zachary Denham of New Philadelphia; step-great grandsons Matt Kavadas and Allen Riechers, and great-great granddaughter Alainah Riechers, all of New Philadelphia.

Calling hours will be held Tuesday, February 5, 2013 from 4-7 p.m. in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia. A funeral service will be on Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral home Edler Glen Carlisle and Elder Rose Lomax officiating. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia.

Those wishing to do so may send the family a personal condolence and light a candle in remembrance of Helen by visiting the funeral home website, www.geibcares.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to New Philadelphia Quaker Club – Quaker Dome Project at 248 Front Ave. SW NP, OH or Community of Christ Church at 515 Church Ave SW NP, OH.