Helen K. (Murphy) Smithyman

Helen K. Smithyman, 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.  She was born in Pittsburgh, PA  on April 13, 1931 to the late Stephen J. and Helen B. Murphy.  Helen was preceded in death by her late husband, Charles R. Smithyman; brother James P. Murphy; and beloved sister Martha F. Levine.

Helen attended South Hills High School (where she met her late husband) and after moving to Sheraden, attended and graduated from Langley High School.  Helen attended the University of Pittsburgh before getting married and raising a family.  She lived in Brookline for 60 years, and was a long-time and faithful parishioner of Resurrection Church where she took on duties such as counting offertory donations on Sundays and serving as the Sunshine Lady of the Guild.  Many remember Helen from working at various places along Brookline Boulevard including Party Cake Shop, Melman's Market and Frank F. DeBor Funeral Home, as well as her volunteerism with Brookline Meals on Wheels.  Helen will be remembered for her smile, kindness to everyone and love of card games, especially Crazy Eights.

Helen is survived by her six children Dennis (Rosemary) of Kennebunk, ME; David (Mary Ann) of Pittsburgh, PA; Linda of Knoxville, TN; Joann (Mike) Godbout of Lombard, IL; Karen (Fred) Holtz of Huntersville, NC; and Lisa Murphy of Carolina Shores, NC as well as five grandchildren Kathryn Smithyman (Jon Perrine), Megan Smithyman (Marchelo Bresciani), Steven Godbout, Katrina Holtz and Michael Holtz.  Helen is also survived by her sister Margaret Brusco and had a very special place in her heart for her nieces and nephews, especially Lisbeth Levine and the late Jack Levine.

Family and friends will be received at Frank F. DeBor Funeral Home from 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 10, 2021.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Resurrection Church.  Online condolences can be shared here at www.deborfuneralhome.com.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Foundation or Brookline Meals on Wheels.

Due to the pandemic, masks are requested and appreciated.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen K. (Murphy) Smithyman, please visit our floral store.