Helen Vitchner Steeves

Helen Vitchner Steeves of Rochester died after a brief illness at the age of 95 on Sunday, March 15th.

Helen grew up in Tiltonsville, Ohio before moving to Connecticut in the early 1940's where using three languages she led an all-female assembly crew at Pratt & Whitney Company building radial engines that powered B-17 and B-24 bombers. After the war, Helen married William J. Steeves of Millinocket, Maine where she supported growth of the family business and raised a family.

Helen was a kind and generous person, especially as far as her children and grandchildren were concerned. She enjoyed her camp in rural Maine and loved beautiful Mt. Katahdin in Baxter State Park. She also had a love of animals, especially her children's dogs. An exceptional cook and housekeeper, she took pride in having a clean home and preparing her special carrot cake. Helen also enjoyed gardening, crocheting, and quilting over many years. She will be sadly missed by all her family who loved her dearly.

Helen is survived by her daughter Regina "Sue" (Steeves) McLaughlin and husband Scott McLaughlin of Rochester, son Eric Steeves and wife Catharine (Smallwood) Steeves of Millinocket, Maine, grand children Sherri (McLaughlin) Rideout, Scott and Kristin McLaughlin, and great grand children Jesse Rideout, Elodie McLaughlin and Delphine McLaughlin. Burial and memorial services will be private.

Helen's preference was that in lieu of flowers donations in her memory and in the memory of her proud, patriotic and loving father Adolph Vitchner, a naturalized citizen of the United States, be made to:

The Rosie the Riveter Trust
(ID# 94-3335350) PO Box 71126
Richmond, CA 94807-1126

http://www.rosietheriveter.org/