Helen Ruskey
Visitation Time: A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Interment: Private
Helen Sue Ruskey, 89, of Garner, North Carolina, passed away on Friday July 14, 2023 of heart failure with her family by her side. She was and always will be loved.
Helen was born August 27, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois to Hazel & Marion Farris (deceased). Survivors include daughters Anne and Mary Mitchell; sister Ruth Stencel; nephews Jack (Diane) Ruhl, Chuck (Tami) Stencel and Mark (Jackie) Stencel. Grandnieces include Krystyn (Piero) Pecora and Jessica (Jake) Exline. Extended surviving Ruskey family include Patricia Ruskey, Rebecca, Joseph, and Michael Ruskey and Patricia Kendall; Frank Burda and Christi Gleason; Kim, John, and Paul Komacki. She was preceded in death by husbands Jerome Mitchell and Joseph Ruskey; sister Marguerite Ridgeway; niece Jaclynn Lickteig; and stepchildren Starr Komacki, Joseph Ruskey and Pamela Burda.
Growing up a self-proclaimed wallflower (highly debatable), Helen fell in love and married Jerry Mitchell in 1959. They had two daughters and shared 13 great years together until Jerry passed unexpectedly. As was typical she took care of what needed to be done – returned to school, worked multiple jobs to support the family, saw her kids through the teen drama years and beyond. None of it was easy but Helen persevered, and usually with good humor. Helen loved dancing and met her second husband Joe Ruskey at a Chicago ballroom. They shared 17
happy years together until he too passed unexpectedly. After a lifetime in the Chicago area, she moved to North Carolina where she continued to enjoy the things she loved most.
Her backyard always bloomed with gorgeous flowers from spring until fall. She enjoyed listening to many types of music, especially Dixieland jazz and the blues. She loved musical theater, regularly attending the Broadway touring company performances when they came to town, and never missed her favorite Les Mis. Helen was a crossword puzzle aficionado - not the easy ones but the NY Times tough ones most people avoid. She also stayed true to her Chicago roots and supported the White Sox AAA team the Charlotte Knights. Helen was an engaged and informed citizen who closely followed politics and never missed voting in local and national elections. She was a dog lover particularly fond of Corgis, especially her crazy dog George who tended to rule the roost. And she threw great parties and mixed a mean cocktail. Angel Helen was generous to everyone and loved by her friends and family. She had a way of patiently listening and advising when things needed to be said. She will be deeply missed by many and will always hold a special place in our hearts.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the SPCA of Wake County,
200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603.