Obituaries

Helen M. Hackathorn

May 12, 2024

Helen M. Hackathorn

Helen M Hackathorn, age 85, of Norwalk, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 12, 2024, at her residence surrounded by her family.

Helen began her career in 1956 as a 4th and 6th grade teacher at St. Paul’s. She married the love of her life, Tom, and continued teaching until they were blessed with children.  As a side job, she did laundry and ironing for numerous people as well as the Norwalk Clinic, Norwalk Fire Department, and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. She continued this “side job” for over 45 years! After her children were all in school, Helen began working at Firelands Federal Credit Union and continued there for 40 years until her retirement in 2008.

Helen loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She enjoyed cooking and baking for get-togethers with her family. Friends and family were blessed to enjoy her delicious pies! She was also an avid fan of the Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Helen is survived by her children, Angela (Roy) Young, Mary Nickoli, Michael (Paula) Hackathorn, Cecilia (Wendell) Blevins, and Teresa (Eric) Hansen; grandchildren Sara (Mark) Worley, Meredith Hackathorn, Clint (Amanda) Nickoli, Thomas (Marisa) Hackathorn, Hannah (Andrew) Jacobs, Henry (Lea) Hansen, Clay Nickoli, Hollis, Hope, Helen, HollyAnne, and Hyacinth Hansen; great-grandchildren Mark, Phillip, and Evelyn Worley, Millicent and Joel Nickoli, George Hansen, and Noah Hackathorn, step-great grandchildren Abigail and Wesley Jacobs.  Also surviving are brother, John Ruffing; sister, Magdaline Roth; sister-in-law, Evelyn Ruffing; and brother-in-law, Dennis (Stephanie) Hackathorn as well as many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Hackathorn in 1985; her parents, Phillip and Olivia (Wise) Ruffing; sister, Cecilia Ruffing; brother, Francis Ruffing; son-in-law, Joel Nickoli; sister-in-law, Marie Ruffing; brother-in-law, David Roth; niece, Eileen Ruffing; and nephew, Anthony Ruffing.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 3:00 – 6:00 P.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A funeral Mass will be held Monday, May 20, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church or Norwalk Catholic Schools.

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Helen M. Hackathorn

Helen M Hackathorn, age 85, of Norwalk, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 12, 2024, at her residence surrounded by her family.

Helen began her career in 1956 as a 4th and 6th grade teacher at St. Paul’s. She married the love of her life, Tom, and continued teaching until they were blessed with children.  As a side job, she did laundry and ironing for numerous people as well as the Norwalk Clinic, Norwalk Fire Department, and St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. She continued this “side job” for over 45 years! After her children were all in school, Helen began working at Firelands Federal Credit Union and continued there for 40 years until her retirement in 2008.

Helen loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  She enjoyed cooking and baking for get-togethers with her family. Friends and family were blessed to enjoy her delicious pies! She was also an avid fan of the Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Helen is survived by her children, Angela (Roy) Young, Mary Nickoli, Michael (Paula) Hackathorn, Cecilia (Wendell) Blevins, and Teresa (Eric) Hansen; grandchildren Sara (Mark) Worley, Meredith Hackathorn, Clint (Amanda) Nickoli, Thomas (Marisa) Hackathorn, Hannah (Andrew) Jacobs, Henry (Lea) Hansen, Clay Nickoli, Hollis, Hope, Helen, HollyAnne, and Hyacinth Hansen; great-grandchildren Mark, Phillip, and Evelyn Worley, Millicent and Joel Nickoli, George Hansen, and Noah Hackathorn, step-great grandchildren Abigail and Wesley Jacobs.  Also surviving are brother, John Ruffing; sister, Magdaline Roth; sister-in-law, Evelyn Ruffing; and brother-in-law, Dennis (Stephanie) Hackathorn as well as many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Hackathorn in 1985; her parents, Phillip and Olivia (Wise) Ruffing; sister, Cecilia Ruffing; brother, Francis Ruffing; son-in-law, Joel Nickoli; sister-in-law, Marie Ruffing; brother-in-law, David Roth; niece, Eileen Ruffing; and nephew, Anthony Ruffing.

Visitation for family and friends will be held Sunday, May 19, 2024, from 3:00 – 6:00 P.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A funeral Mass will be held Monday, May 20, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church or Norwalk Catholic Schools.

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