Helen Loretta McQuiney

Helen L. McQuiney, 90, of Warren, passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2010 and went home to her Heavenly Father after a long battle with Alzheimer's. She was born Helen Loretta Spano to parents Larry and Nellie (Alvaro) Spano on December 12, 1919 in Kilarm, W. Va., and was a lifelong resident of Trumbull County, Ohio, living at Autumn Hills Care Center in Niles since May, 2009.

Helen grew up in a large Italian family on Charles Street in Warren, where her parents lived for over 75 years. A graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, she was a homemaker who also worked at Republic Steel, Ohio Lamp, in the cafeteria of Trumbull Memorial Hospital, and in retail in downtown Warren.

A resident of Ruth Avenue in Cortland from 1985-2005, Helen was a member of St. Robert's Catholic Church. She also attended Believers Christian Fellowship in Warren.

Helen was outgoing and had many friends. She was an animal lover, and her favorite charities were to help stray animals find food and shelter. Her greatest love was singing all types of music, especially the songs of her favorite crooner, Frank Sinatra. She loved to travel and play card games. She engaged in various sports into her sixties, playing tennis, golf, racquetball, and cross-country skiing, and she loved long walks with her dog and best buddy, Lucky.

Surviving are her daughter, Paula (Jerry) Vandergrift of Howland; two granddaughters, Chelsea and Hannah Vandergrift; two stepdaughters, Carol Jean Obenland of Seattle, Washington and Delores Flower of Nashville, Tenn.; her niece and longtime caregiver, Jeanie Basciano of Warren, with whom she made her home; and many other nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are her parents; her first husband, Fred DiCenso; her husband and childhood sweetheart, Herb McQuiney, who died in 1996; two sisters, Theresa Chicko and Mary Basciano; two brothers, Joseph and Dominic Spano; a niece, Joyce Simpson; and a nephew, Frank Chicko.

Services are 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 8, 2010 at St. Robert's Catholic Church, 4659 Niles Cortland Rd. N.E., Cortland, Ohio 44410, with Fr. Carl Kish officiating. Friends may call 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Interment will take place privately at All Souls Cemetery. Material contributions may be made to the Animal Welfare League, 545 Brunstetter Rd. S.W., Warren, Ohio 44481.

The family offers a special thanks to the wonderful staff of Autumn Hills Care Center and Hospice of the Valley. Your compassion and care were just what Helen needed, and gave great comfort to her loved ones.

Arrangements are entrusted to McFarland & Son Funeral Services Co., 271 N. Park Ave., Warren, Ohio 44481. Please visit www.mcfarlandfuneral.com to view this obituary and send condolences.