Helen Carolyn Pugh, born September 6, 1941, in Canton, Ohio, joined her husband Ralph in the presence of their Heavenly Father on Sunday, December 31, 2023.  Helen is survived by their three daughters Chris (Lanse) Leach, Kathy Pugh, and Julie (Mark) Miedema.  Helen and Ralph's legacy will continue through grandchildren Amanda (Erik) Wallenberg, Mallory (Norm) Menegay, Cory (Krysten) Guidone, John (Camila) Hiner, Samantha (Carson) Miedema-Brinks, and Kennedy (Noah) Miedema-Westra.  She leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she loved and four great grandchildren.

Helen was the daughter of Stephen G. and Bertha Herman.  She was the sister to Julia McCauley, James Herman, and Stephen J. Herman.

Helen possessed a strong faith and believed deeply in the saving grace of Christ.  We believe she was greeted with the words "well done good and faithful servant".

Helen was a very accomplished woman during her lifetime.  She was a national speech competitor in high school in extemporaneous speaking; an American Red Cross International Ambassador at age 16 which provided her the opportunity to personally meet President Eisenhower in the Rose Garden; the 1959 Canton Repository Teenager of the Year; an AVON lady; a License Practical Nurse; a real estate agent; and co-owner of PS Fabrics in Louisville. She initiated many opportunities to serve for others at Paradise United Church of Christ – such as the quilting group and Angel Food Ministries.  Helen's greatest accomplishment above all else was being wife to Ralph and mother to their three daughters.

Helen enjoyed both flower and vegetable gardening, baking, cooking, sewing, and reading.  She was well known for the dozens and dozens of Christmas cookies she would bake each year for her daughters and their friends to decorate to give to teachers, friends, and family.

Friends and family are invited to the memorial graveside service which will be held on Monday, January 8, 2024, at 11:00 am at Union Cemetery, 8787 Louisville Street, Louisville. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.stierisraelfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to honor her strong belief in the value of education can be made to the scholarship program at the Julliard Arts Center to fund the Ralph D. and Helen C. Pugh Scholarship.  These may be sent to the attention of their daughter, Kathy Pugh, at Julliard Arts Center, 610 Market Ave. N., Canton, Ohio, 44702.

                                                Stier-Israel Funeral Home  330-875-1414

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