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Helen Gilbert

Helen passed away peacefully Labor Day, September 6, 2021 at her home in Tryon, NC. She was born October 29, 1932 in Weirton, WV. Her mother Barbara Mihalchik Hrin and her father Michael Hrin emigrated to America from Czechoslovakia and settled in Weirton, WV.

Helen was predeceased by her brother Michael “Curly” Hrin, brother John Hrin, sister Anna Evancho and sister Mary Paul.

She is survived by her husband, James Dean Gilbert, of the home in Tryon, NC, her daughter Jacqueline Bartell (husband Mark) of Boiling Springs, SC, and her son Mike Lemley of New Cumberland, WV. She is survived by three grandchildren, Michael Bartell, Molly Bartell and Mary Ann Bartell.

Helen spent her early years as a Cosmetologist in Weirton. She owned the Charm Beauty Salon for many years and was very active in her community doing beauty and fashion shows and supporting charity work, although her greatest joy was raising her kids, Mike and Jackie. When Helen moved south to Spartanburg, she continued her career in the beauty industry when she bought Delite Beauty Supply. She met James in 1989 and, after they married, she sold the store and they moved to the Red Fox Country Club in Tryon, NC. They have been happily married for thirty-two years.

During their early years of marriage, Helen traveled extensively with James due to his career in the horticulture industry. While an officer in the Plant Propagators Society, they traveled to several foreign countries for meetings and tours. Among the countries Helen enjoyed visiting with James included Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Holland, France, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and England. On these trips she was the “life of the party”. Everyone loved her smiling face and good-natured attitude!

In Tryon, Helen was involved in numerous community service activities. She was an active board member and fundraiser for Steps to HOPE, an organization that helps abused women and children. For many years she supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. She started the Foxy Ladies Luncheon Club, whose members met for enjoyment and to raise money for Steps to Hope, Hospice and Relay for Life. She has also been the leader for the Red Fox Dinner Club. She was co-chairman for the 2011 Home Tour for the Green Blades Garden Club. In 2012 she was named to Second Wind Hall of Fame. Helen was a deacon in the Congregational Church and enjoyed decorating the church during the holidays.

She has worked part time for several local boutiques and enjoyed doing fashion shows for these stores. She especially liked working with customers and meeting people from many places. Customers loved her and she loved helping them!

She was a beautiful and wonderful woman and will be missed by all who knew her!

A Memorial Service for Helen will be planned for a later date due to the COVID virus situation. Once plans are made, an announcement will appear in The Tryon Daily Bulletin. Based on Helen’s wishes, the memorial service will be a casual, happy, and positive occasion for friends and family to gather and remember their happy times together.

In remembrance of Helen Gilbert’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made in her name to Steps to HOPE, an organization that helps abused women and children. Helen was on the board of Steps to HOPE for many years. Please send your memorial donation for Steps to HOPE to: P.O. Box 518, 60 Ward Street, Columbus, N.C. 28722. Their website is: www.stepstohope.org.

Condolences may be left at www.pettyfuneralhome.com.