Helen (Mildred) York Spera ,96, entered eternal life with Christ on January 28, 2023.

She was a devoted communicant of St. Paul Catholic Church, Pensacola, FL. Helen lived her life putting God first and always showed respect, truthfulness, and kindness towards others.

She was born in Wenasoga, MS, to Walter and Ollie Mae Davis York. She graduated Corinth High School in 1944 and worked for a short time at a photography studio before she began her lifetime career working for the telephone company. While working for Southern Bell as a Long-Distance Telephone Operator, she met the love of her life, Paul, who was working on the lines. They married in Corinth, MS and soon were transferred to Shreveport, LA. They later moved and settled in Memphis, TN. In 1974, the family moved to Pensacola, FL. She also served as a Union Job Steward representing and defending her fellow coworkers.  She retired from Southern Bell in 1983 after 39 years.

Helen was an avid volunteer and loved to give of her time to various groups: PSC Senior Citizens Club, Pensacola Golden Agers, East Brent Happy Seniors, Hug-A-Bears; Telephone Pioneers, West Florida Senior Friends, Escambia County Democratic Women's Club; Hearthstone H.O.M.E. Association and Garden Club; Red Hot Mama's of West FL Hospital; and Cordova Mall Walkers where she and Paul completed 300 miles. Together they volunteered extensively with the American Red Cross in the aftermath of Hurricane Opal. She was a Lifetime Member of the Communication Workers of America, Local 3109, where she served as Secretary/Treasurer for 27 years.

Helen was a caring woman and always believed in charitable giving to her Church and supported multiple charities throughout her lifetime.

Helen enjoyed bragging about never having a speeding ticket, but parking tickets were another story! She loved playing Bingo, fishing, and especially a good game of cards. The Hard Rock Casino and Biloxi were always a favorite for birthday celebrations. She always enjoyed the Christmas season, making fudge, cakes and cookies with her children and grandchildren. She loved traveling and planning family vacations enabling us to visit a majority of the United States creating enduring memories.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Paul J. Spera (2000); daughter Theresa T. West (2022); brother, James Wilbert York (1945); sister, Mary Louise Marsh (2014).

Survivors include two daughters, Paula Burton (Andy); Donna Spera; Son-In-Law Rick West; four grandchildren, Angela Brown, who is expecting the couple's first child, (Chris), Christina Newell Lashley (David), John Anthony Tzefakes, II (Odalis), and Jennifer T Feldman (Jonathan); great-grandchildren, Christopher Thomas Hall (Katelyn), Jerald Hunter Quick; Kaitlin Marie Tzefakes, Asston and Harald Fernandez, Alan Sebastian Tzefakes, Abigail Catherine, Oliver Cole, and Elijah Christopher Feldman; great-great grandchild, Ashton River Hall; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at 11:00 AM, until the Rosary at 11:30 AM, followed immediately by the Funeral Mass at St. Paul Catholic Church, 3131 Hyde Park Rd., Pensacola, FL 32503, with Fr. Craig Smith, celebrant. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. A reception will be held 2:00 PM at St. Paul Catholic Church Giri Room.

Memorial donations can be made to The American Macular Degeneration Foundation or The American Heart Association.

Very special thanks to Theresa for being such a caring friend and like a fourth daughter. Thanks to George for taking care of Mother's yard and being her friend. Thanks to all the medical staff involved in Mom's care through the years.