Helen May Loprinzi
May 11, 1921 – May 25, 2021
Helen Loprinzi passed away Tuesday, May 25, in Portland, Oregon only two weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday. Her family was blessed to be with her during the last several days of her life.
She and her twin sister Reita (deceased) were born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Edward and Lenna Smith. Raised primarily in Washington State, Helen had ambitions to become a stenographer and taught herself how to use a stenotype machine before being hired by the US Government in Washington DC. After moving to San Francisco, she was introduced to the love of her life and future husband, Sam Loprinzi, in 1945. It was nearing the end of WWII and Sam, along with his brother Joe, was stationed on Treasure Island to support the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. A favorite family story is that the crew from Sam's and Joe's base was locked down due to some infractions on the day Sam was to meet Helen at City Hall to be married. Sam was willing to accept the penalty, and forgo the ceremony but Joe was not. Joe saved the day—and the marriage—by convincing the Commanding Officer that the Groom and Best Man should be released for the nuptials. By the time they arrived, Helen was fortunately still waiting and the wedding took place after all. They were married for over 50 years before Sam's death in 1996.
Helen worked alongside her husband in their business, Loprinzi's Gym, in Southeast Portland, while being a devoted mother to their two daughters, Cathie and Rhonda, and an influential presence to family and friends. She always loved a party and excelled at hosting the many gatherings and celebrations in their home. Having an insatiable curiosity about people and places, she was a voracious reader, and enjoyed stimulating conversations while sharing her opinions without reservation. Helen was widely admired for her sense of style and beloved for her huge heart, kindness, and candor. It was a winning combination and she was an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to know her. She adored her family and was thrilled with the addition of each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helen is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law: Cathie and Bob Crawford and Rhonda and Tom Orazio; her three granddaughters and their husbands: Kristen and Marc Dana, Theresa and Matt Wear, and Lexi and Nick Heinrichs; and one grandson: Christopher Orazio. Helen was also affectionately known as "Gigi" by her six great-grandchildren: Claire, Zoe, Matea, Leo, Crosby, and Nora.
Helen's family would like to express their deep appreciation for the compassionate caregivers at Holladay Park Plaza and to Bristol Hospice for their team's generous end-of-life support.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders, one of Helen's favorite charitable organizations.
May 11, 1921 – May 25, 2021
Helen Loprinzi passed away Tuesday, May 25, in Portland, Oregon only two weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday. Her family was blessed to be with her during the last several days of her life.
She and her twin sister Reita (deceased) were born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Edward and Lenna Smith. Raised primarily in Washington State, Helen had ambitions to become a stenographer and taught herself how to use a stenotype machine before being hired by the US Government in Washington DC. After moving to San Francisco, she was introduced to the love of her life and future husband, Sam Loprinzi, in 1945. It was nearing the end of WWII and Sam, along with his brother Joe, was stationed on Treasure Island to support the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. A favorite family story is that the crew from Sam's and Joe's base was locked down due to some infractions on the day Sam was to meet Helen at City Hall to be married. Sam was willing to accept the penalty, and forgo the ceremony but Joe was not. Joe saved the day—and the marriage—by convincing the Commanding Officer that the Groom and Best Man should be released for the nuptials. By the time they arrived, Helen was fortunately still waiting and the wedding took place after all. They were married for over 50 years before Sam's death in 1996.
Helen worked alongside her husband in their business, Loprinzi's Gym, in Southeast Portland, while being a devoted mother to their two daughters, Cathie and Rhonda, and an influential presence to family and friends. She always loved a party and excelled at hosting the many gatherings and celebrations in their home. Having an insatiable curiosity about people and places, she was a voracious reader, and enjoyed stimulating conversations while sharing her opinions without reservation. Helen was widely admired for her sense of style and beloved for her huge heart, kindness, and candor. It was a winning combination and she was an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to know her. She adored her family and was thrilled with the addition of each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helen is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law: Cathie and Bob Crawford and Rhonda and Tom Orazio; her three granddaughters and their husbands: Kristen and Marc Dana, Theresa and Matt Wear, and Lexi and Nick Heinrichs; and one grandson: Christopher Orazio. Helen was also affectionately known as "Gigi" by her six great-grandchildren: Claire, Zoe, Matea, Leo, Crosby, and Nora.
Helen's family would like to express their deep appreciation for the compassionate caregivers at Holladay Park Plaza and to Bristol Hospice for their team's generous end-of-life support.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders, one of Helen's favorite charitable organizations.
Helen May Loprinzi
May 11, 1921 – May 25, 2021
Helen Loprinzi passed away Tuesday, May 25, in Portland, Oregon only two weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday. Her family was blessed to be with her during the last several days of her life.
She and her twin sister Reita (deceased) were born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Edward and Lenna Smith. Raised primarily in Washington State, Helen had ambitions to become a stenographer and taught herself how to use a stenotype machine before being hired by the US Government in Washington DC. After moving to San Francisco, she was introduced to the love of her life and future husband, Sam Loprinzi, in 1945. It was nearing the end of WWII and Sam, along with his brother Joe, was stationed on Treasure Island to support the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. A favorite family story is that the crew from Sam's and Joe's base was locked down due to some infractions on the day Sam was to meet Helen at City Hall to be married. Sam was willing to accept the penalty, and forgo the ceremony but Joe was not. Joe saved the day—and the marriage—by convincing the Commanding Officer that the Groom and Best Man should be released for the nuptials. By the time they arrived, Helen was fortunately still waiting and the wedding took place after all. They were married for over 50 years before Sam's death in 1996.
Helen worked alongside her husband in their business, Loprinzi's Gym, in Southeast Portland, while being a devoted mother to their two daughters, Cathie and Rhonda, and an influential presence to family and friends. She always loved a party and excelled at hosting the many gatherings and celebrations in their home. Having an insatiable curiosity about people and places, she was a voracious reader, and enjoyed stimulating conversations while sharing her opinions without reservation. Helen was widely admired for her sense of style and beloved for her huge heart, kindness, and candor. It was a winning combination and she was an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to know her. She adored her family and was thrilled with the addition of each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helen is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law: Cathie and Bob Crawford and Rhonda and Tom Orazio; her three granddaughters and their husbands: Kristen and Marc Dana, Theresa and Matt Wear, and Lexi and Nick Heinrichs; and one grandson: Christopher Orazio. Helen was also affectionately known as "Gigi" by her six great-grandchildren: Claire, Zoe, Matea, Leo, Crosby, and Nora.
Helen's family would like to express their deep appreciation for the compassionate caregivers at Holladay Park Plaza and to Bristol Hospice for their team's generous end-of-life support.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders, one of Helen's favorite charitable organizations.
May 11, 1921 – May 25, 2021
Helen Loprinzi passed away Tuesday, May 25, in Portland, Oregon only two weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday. Her family was blessed to be with her during the last several days of her life.
She and her twin sister Reita (deceased) were born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Edward and Lenna Smith. Raised primarily in Washington State, Helen had ambitions to become a stenographer and taught herself how to use a stenotype machine before being hired by the US Government in Washington DC. After moving to San Francisco, she was introduced to the love of her life and future husband, Sam Loprinzi, in 1945. It was nearing the end of WWII and Sam, along with his brother Joe, was stationed on Treasure Island to support the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers. A favorite family story is that the crew from Sam's and Joe's base was locked down due to some infractions on the day Sam was to meet Helen at City Hall to be married. Sam was willing to accept the penalty, and forgo the ceremony but Joe was not. Joe saved the day—and the marriage—by convincing the Commanding Officer that the Groom and Best Man should be released for the nuptials. By the time they arrived, Helen was fortunately still waiting and the wedding took place after all. They were married for over 50 years before Sam's death in 1996.
Helen worked alongside her husband in their business, Loprinzi's Gym, in Southeast Portland, while being a devoted mother to their two daughters, Cathie and Rhonda, and an influential presence to family and friends. She always loved a party and excelled at hosting the many gatherings and celebrations in their home. Having an insatiable curiosity about people and places, she was a voracious reader, and enjoyed stimulating conversations while sharing her opinions without reservation. Helen was widely admired for her sense of style and beloved for her huge heart, kindness, and candor. It was a winning combination and she was an inspiration to all who had the good fortune to know her. She adored her family and was thrilled with the addition of each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helen is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law: Cathie and Bob Crawford and Rhonda and Tom Orazio; her three granddaughters and their husbands: Kristen and Marc Dana, Theresa and Matt Wear, and Lexi and Nick Heinrichs; and one grandson: Christopher Orazio. Helen was also affectionately known as "Gigi" by her six great-grandchildren: Claire, Zoe, Matea, Leo, Crosby, and Nora.
Helen's family would like to express their deep appreciation for the compassionate caregivers at Holladay Park Plaza and to Bristol Hospice for their team's generous end-of-life support.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you consider a donation to Doctors Without Borders, one of Helen's favorite charitable organizations.
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