Helen M. Vespico

Helen M. Vespico, 99, formerly of Wyomissing Hills, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2014 at Homestead Village Health Center, Lancaster. She was born in Reading, PA, the first of three children of the late Frank and Julia (Karpinski) Zajac.

She is survived by two sons: Robert D. Vespico, Warrenton, VA, widower of the late Arlene (Masciotti) Vespico, and John S. Vespico, Robesonia, husband of Dr. Margaret Bazarnic, and a daughter, Kathleen (Vespico) Gray, Lancaster, widow of CWO George A. Gray. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Lee R. Vespico, Santee, CA, Amy (Vespico) Buckley, Manassas, VA, Anthony S. Vespico, Warrenton, VA, Lisa (Vespico) Thenga, Sinking Springs, John S. Vespico, Jr., Hamburg, and Alexandra Vespico, Robesonia. She is also survived by eight great grandchildren, three great, great grandsons, several nieces and nephews, and several great nieces and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sebastian Vespico, with whom she enjoyed more than 76 years of marriage, her parents, her sister, Lottie Kostival, her brother, Chester Zajac, and her grandson, Robert D. Vespico, Jr.

She was a long time member of St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church in Sinking Springs, and before that of Sacred Heart Church in West Reading. Helen was a homemaker who was devoted to her family. Among her family and friends, Helen was known for her culinary skills and gardening expertise. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, playing bridge, swimming and long walks on the beach. She enjoyed vacations with her family and extended family in Stone Harbor and Avalon, NJ, and as she neared retirement age, she enjoyed traveling with her husband throughout the Eastern and Southern United States and Europe.

Helen's family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at the Apostle Health Center of Homestead Village for the kind and respectful care that they gave Helen during her last year and to Asera Care Hospice which provided comfort and support during her last two years. The family also wishes to thank the staff and caregivers from Special Care who provided care and help to Helen in her last three years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, November 8 at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Resurrection at Gethsemane Cemetery, 3139 Kutztown Road, Reading. A viewing will be held from 9:00 am to 9:30am at the Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Avenue, West Reading. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, immediately following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church, 2810 St. Albans Drive, Whitfield, PA 19609, or to Sacred Heart Church, 558 West Walnut Street, Lancaster, PA 17603, which administered to Helen's spiritual needs during the last seven years of her life while she was living in Lancaster. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.