Helen Louise Smith

Helen Louise Smith, 83, a lifelong resident of New Philadelphia, died Monday, June 29, 2009, in Aultman Hospital, Canton, from complications following heart surgery performed in March.

Born, February 28, 1926, she was a daughter of the late William and Gladys Hinig Leggett, who for many years owned and operated Leggett�(TM)s Restaurant on North Broadway in New Philadelphia. Helen graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1943, and went to work for the Muskingum Watershed District. She married William F. “Bill” Smith on April 18, 1944. Helen was later employed for many years as a bookkeeper at Weaver Buick-Cadillac in downtown New Philadelphia. She was a member of First Christian Church of New Philadelphia.

Helen enjoyed travel, and special among her journeys were fishing trips to Canada with Bill and close companions, Bill�(TM)s brother, Carl, and Carl�(TM)s wife, Dorothy. Another favorite destination was Las Vegas, where Helen and Bill celebrated their fiftieth and sixtieth anniversaries with family. Helen loved to play cards and to go out to eat with friends; she was a regular at Bob Evans�(TM) and Dee�(TM)s Restaurants. Helen and Bill�(TM)s home was often a gathering place for family holidays, especially the upcoming Fourth of July. Helen touched many, many people throughout her life, and the joy that came from her energy and enthusiasm was immeasurable.

She is survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law, Dave and Carol “Petie,” (Williams) Leggett of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Norman and Mary Ann (Marr) Leggett of Dallas, Texas, and Richard and Donna (Wolgamott) Leggett of Columbus; sister-in-law, Dorothy Smith of North Canton; many nieces and nephews, including Tom and Brenda Smith of North Canton; and several cousins, including Tom and Barbara Ernest, who were a great help to Helen during Bill�(TM)s illness and afterward.

In addition to her parents, Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, on June 22, 2008, following sixty-four years of marriage. Her older sister, Thelma Leggett, and a brother-in-law, Carl Smith, also preceded her in death.

“Be at peace, Helen. You will forever remain in our hearts and your independence and strength will always guide us. You have been an inspiration to those who knew and loved you. We love you and we miss you.”

Family and friends are invited to call at the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, 246 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, on Sunday, July 5, 5 �" 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held Monday, July 6, at 2 p.m., in the funeral home, with Rev. David Carrick officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Burial Park, New Philadelphia. Following the committal, refreshments will be served in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center on the Boulevard in Dover. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of Helen, please visit the funeral home�(TM)s Web site and click on Obituaries.

Toland-Herzig, New Philadelphia
330-343-6132
www.tolandherzig.com