Obituary for Shirley Ann Leister
Shirley Ann Leister, 88, of Hollidaysburg, passed away
surrounded by family, Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at UPMC Altoona.
She was born on October 27, 1934, in Johnstown; a daughter
of the late Josiah W. and Gertrude (Leonard) Helsel. She married Roy Leister on May 9, 1955, in Elkton, MD. He preceded her in death on March 26, 2013.
She was a 1952 graduate of Hollidaysburg High School.
She then continued her education becoming a Registered Nurse at Bryn Mawr School of Nursing. She worked as a RN for many years in both the Philadelphia and Altoona communities. Shirley and her husband Roy were second generation owner-operators of Helsel Hardware
in Altoona which was founded by her father. She continued to work in the day-to-day operations through a third generation with her son Buck, until the hardware closed in 2017.
She was a very involved member of the Hollidaysburg Church
of the Brethren, where she served in multiple leadership positions, recently resigning her role as Deacon. She also served on the board of the local rescue mission for a number of years.
She enjoyed traveling with her husband, family and friends.
Traveling by RV across the nation and spending time at the family farm in Potter County and visiting the beach were her favorites. Shirley loved being a grandmother, she cherished her grandchildren and the time spent with them. She also adored animals, doting
on each pet she had throughout the years. She had a kind, understanding and generous nature that she shared with all who crossed her path through life.
Surviving
are her son Roy (Buck) Leister and his wife Cate BurgerLeister of Hollidaysburg, a brother Jay Helsel of Dover, PA,
a
son-in-law Gregory Novosel and his wife Melanie of Middletown, DE and her three beloved grandsons, Gregory, Caleb and Brandon Novosel,
and a sister-in-law Jackie Helsel of Waynesboro, VA. Also surviving are her late husband Roy's sibilings Ruth Burkholder, Linda Hoover and Harold Leister all residing out of the area. In addition Shirley is survived by two good friends Leona Swope and Terry
Bickel with whom she shared many special times through the years and too many neices, nephews and extended family to mention, but who were well loved.
In addition to those listed above, she was preceeded in death by her best friend and daughter Shirl Ann Leister Novosel and her brother
David Helsel.
Friends will be received from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, February
2, 2023 and from 10-11 a.m. on February 3, 2023, at the Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, 1028 Penn Street, Hollidaysburg, PA, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday by the Rev. Linda Banaszak. Interment will be private at Alto-Reste
Park, Altoona.
For your protection and the wellbeing of family and friends
who will be attending services, it is asked unless medically prohibited, that masks be worn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made
in her memory to the Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 84, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648.
An online guestbook may be signed and condolences sent
to the family at www.thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com
surrounded by family, Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at UPMC Altoona.
She was born on October 27, 1934, in Johnstown; a daughter
of the late Josiah W. and Gertrude (Leonard) Helsel. She married Roy Leister on May 9, 1955, in Elkton, MD. He preceded her in death on March 26, 2013.
She was a 1952 graduate of Hollidaysburg High School.
She then continued her education becoming a Registered Nurse at Bryn Mawr School of Nursing. She worked as a RN for many years in both the Philadelphia and Altoona communities. Shirley and her husband Roy were second generation owner-operators of Helsel Hardware
in Altoona which was founded by her father. She continued to work in the day-to-day operations through a third generation with her son Buck, until the hardware closed in 2017.
She was a very involved member of the Hollidaysburg Church
of the Brethren, where she served in multiple leadership positions, recently resigning her role as Deacon. She also served on the board of the local rescue mission for a number of years.
She enjoyed traveling with her husband, family and friends.
Traveling by RV across the nation and spending time at the family farm in Potter County and visiting the beach were her favorites. Shirley loved being a grandmother, she cherished her grandchildren and the time spent with them. She also adored animals, doting
on each pet she had throughout the years. She had a kind, understanding and generous nature that she shared with all who crossed her path through life.
Surviving
are her son Roy (Buck) Leister and his wife Cate BurgerLeister of Hollidaysburg, a brother Jay Helsel of Dover, PA,
a
son-in-law Gregory Novosel and his wife Melanie of Middletown, DE and her three beloved grandsons, Gregory, Caleb and Brandon Novosel,
and a sister-in-law Jackie Helsel of Waynesboro, VA. Also surviving are her late husband Roy's sibilings Ruth Burkholder, Linda Hoover and Harold Leister all residing out of the area. In addition Shirley is survived by two good friends Leona Swope and Terry
Bickel with whom she shared many special times through the years and too many neices, nephews and extended family to mention, but who were well loved.
In addition to those listed above, she was preceeded in death by her best friend and daughter Shirl Ann Leister Novosel and her brother
David Helsel.
Friends will be received from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, February
2, 2023 and from 10-11 a.m. on February 3, 2023, at the Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, 1028 Penn Street, Hollidaysburg, PA, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday by the Rev. Linda Banaszak. Interment will be private at Alto-Reste
Park, Altoona.
For your protection and the wellbeing of family and friends
who will be attending services, it is asked unless medically prohibited, that masks be worn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made
in her memory to the Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, P.O. Box 84, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648.
An online guestbook may be signed and condolences sent
to the family at www.thegoodfuneralhomeinc.com