Obituary of Helen Hollback

ASHTABULA, OH – Surrounded by her loving family, Helen Hollback, 94, of Ashtabula passed away on March 31, 2019 at her daughter Shirley's home in Flagler Beach, Florida where she had wintered for many years.

She was born June 24, 1924 in South Webster, OH, the daughter of Harry and Hattie (Johnson) Slack, and had been an Ashtabula resident since 1945. She lived in Toledo previously for 2 years. During World War II, she moved back to South Webster with her daughter until Herbert came home from Japan.

When she had to find work to help support the family, she worked at Isaly's and cleaned homes. She then got a job at Reliance Electric for 32 years and retired in 1987.

A member of East Side Presbyterian Church for many years, she continued her church membership at Flagler Beach Community Church in Florida. She loved cooking, baking, sewing and flower gardening (especially violets and orchids). Having lived through the Great Depression and being very poor, she made sure that all of her children knew how to garden, cook and can fruits, vegetables, meats and make pickles and jams/jellies. She loved spending time with her grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great grandkids. She embroidered and quilted (by hand) each grandchild a baby quilt. These quilts are now family heirlooms. She traveled throughout the United States camping with her daughter Judy and family and cruised and vacationed in Mexico with daughter Shirley. Helen was a dancer and a music lover. She went to many benefit activities and danced away with the big swing bands with her husband, Herbert. At age 63 +, believe it or not, she even rode Harley Davidsons with her son-in-law, Ray, and was an honorary member of the CMRO 13 Motorcycle organization. Helen cooked and baked for the charity events and attended the events. She was known to all as Mom. Helen did not shout out to the world about her heritage, but her grandmother was Native American (Cherokee Nation) on her father's side of the family. Helen was the Matriarch of a large family. A family gathering for holidays and summer picnics would usually be around 50 or so family members. She loved attending her family reunions in South Webster every year until her health prevented travel. Usually, a grandchild would get to attend with her and meet new cousins and aunts/uncles.

Her survivors include four children, Shirley Wortman of FL, Judy (Ray) Knight of Austinburg and Dennis Hollback and Anita Hollback both of Ashtabula; 10 grandchildren, (Glenn Knight, Christy Knight, Stacy Lyn Summers-Bliffin, Nathan Summers, Rachel Conn, Leif Hollback, Hannah Hollback, Jessica Fisher, James Fisher II, and Zachary Fisher); 16 great-grandchildren (Brittany Knight, Seth Knight, Kaylynn Auxier, Johnnie Bliffin, Travis Bliffin, Riley Bliffin, Christian Bliffin, Ethan Summers, Ean Summers, Katalina Summers, Luna Alpha-lynn Conn, Alexis Fisher, Jimmie Fisher III, Zachary James Fisher , Atreyu Fisher, Lincoln Fisher); 2 twin great-great-grandchildren (Logan Freede, Luke Freede); three sisters, Thelma Hall of Wheelersburg, OH and Elnora Blanton and Marlene Slack, both of Norwalk, OH; three brothers, Melvin Slack of N. Kingsville and Ronald and Paul Slack, both of Norwalk, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Hollback in 1987; youngest daughter Rhonda Sue Fisher, 2018; two sisters; Wanda Stiles Knight and Jeanne Stiles; one brother, Dale Slack; two nephews, Michael Stiles, Roger Dale Stiles; great-nephews, Johnnie Stiles and Steven Stiles, and her parents and step-mother, Ruth Slack.

Memorial contributions may be made in Helen's name to Operation Christmas Child through the Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 12PM, at the Zaback-Williams-Ducro Funeral Home, 500 West Prospect Ashtabula, Ohio. A visitation will be held from 11A.M. until the time of service. Pastor Jason Hockran of Andover United Methodist Church will officiate.

Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery, N. Kingsville, Ohio.

Following burial, a luncheon will be held at East Side Presbyterian Church, 3440 Edgewood Dr, Ashtabula, OH 44004. 

Online obituary and condolences can be found at www.ducro.com.