Helen I. Cypher

Helen (Denny) Cypher, aged 107 years, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 15, 2020 under the care of Concordia Hospice in Cabot PA. Helen was born on September 5, 1912 on the family farm in Winfield Township to Flavius Denny and Salina (Clowes) Denny. Helen graduated from Slippery Rock Normal School with a Teaching Certificate in 1932. She taught in a one room school in Rattigan, then West Winfield, and finally Winfield Elementary, spanning 41 years. She retired from South Butler School District on July 1, 1975.

She was married to Philip Eugene Cypher of Marwood on June 6, 1938 at St. Joseph Church in Cabot. Her husband was drafted into the Army in September 1943 and was badly injured during the Northern Apennine Campaign near Bologna, Italy. Helen traveled to Georgia by train several times with her infant son to visit Phil during his rehabilitation.

Helen was always busy working with her church, St Joseph in Cabot, and the American Legion Auxiliary of Saxonburg. She loved baking, especially her cinnamon sweet rolls for which she acquired a large following. She was the church organist for many years and involved in the Christian Mothers. Helen was called on frequently to contribute historical information for the Winfield Township area. Though she had not done it for many years, she loved fishing, especially while vacationing in Canada.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband and siblings Willis, John, Elizabeth and Ruth, and her grandson, Philip Todd Cypher, an Iraqi War Veteran.

Helen is survived by her two children, Philip Dennis (Barbara) Cypher, Sandra (Joseph) Grau, five grandchildren Joseph and Philip Grau of Midlothian VA, Terry (Doug) Rihl of Springfield VA, Annette (Eric) Kowalski of Castle Shannon, PA, and Sarah (Erin Lopez) Cypher, of Cotati CA. Helen also leaves eight  great-grandchildren Megan Grau, Cory (Lauren) Kowalski, Stephanie (Ken) Staley, Patrick (Maddie) Rihl, Perry (Melissa) Rihl, Grace Rihl, Jared and Philip Edward Cypher, and three great-great-grandchildren, Lily and Luke Rihl, and Hudson Staley.

Viewing will be held at the Fox Funeral Home, Inc., 410 W. Main Street, Saxonburg on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm.

A Mass of Christian burial will be conducted on Thursday, February 20, 2020 at 1:00 pm at St Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Cabot with Father Ward Stakem, OFM Cap. officiating.

Interment will follow at St Mary Cemetery in Herman PA.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen I. Cypher, please visit our floral store.