Helen Frances (Loalbo) Ashland, 91, of Rockville Connecticut passed peacefully on the morning of March 27, 2017. Her husband was by her side. Helen was born in Rockville, Connecticut on July 23, 1925. She was one of 10 children. She attended Rockville High School and upon graduation worked at the US Envelope Factory in Rockville, Ct.and was crowned Miss US Envelope. After raising her family, she worked as a bookkeeper at Mickey’s Motor Sales. She and her husband enjoyed many trips together., throughout the US and abroad. Helen loved their cottage at Seabrook Beach and the family spent many happy summer vacations there. A lifelong Catholic, she was active in her church, St. Bernard’s Parish and then Sacred Heart, working at the Christmas Bazaar many years, and supporting Haitian school children. She was a volunteer for the Red Cross bloodmobile for 10 years. She was also a member of Friends of the Library and the Young at Heart group at her husband’s church. Helen was devoted to her family, and loved to host family events. She leaves behind her high school sweetheart and husband of 69 years, Andrew (Mickey) Ashland; her sister Rose Prichard, brothers Richard Loalbo and his wife Sue, William Loalbo and his wife Bunny, her daughters Deborah Strattner and son in law Paul, Kathy Ahearn and son in law Peter and her son in law Robert Slajda; and his wife Gail Ann. She leaves her grandchildren, Matthew and his wife Maria, Michelle and her husband Peter, Sierra, Andrew, and Christopher. She was also blessed with two beautiful great grand- daughters, Abigail and Isabel Slajda; and many loved nephews and nieces. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, John and Lillian Loalbo, her daughter Gail (Slajda), her sisters, Mary, Peggy, and Kay and her brothers, Johnny, Eddy, and Bobby. In her final days, she received loving care from many family members, as well as her caregiver Gabriela Zegarra. The family would also like to thank Visiting Nurses for their care and support. Friends and relatives may join the family at the Small & Pietras Funeral Home, 65 Elm Street, Rockville, CT on Thursday, March 30 between 4pm – 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Sacred Heart Church, Rt. 30, Vernon, CT on Friday, March 31at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at St. Bernard's Cemetery in Vernon, CT. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.

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