Helen Lorraine Sampsel Gardner Frazier, 72, formerly of Centre Hall, passed away Friday, January 12, 2018, at Centre Crest in Bellefonte. Born March 9, 1945, in Bellefonte, and raised on the family farm along Indian Lane in Potter Township, Centre County, she was the daughter of Harold A. Sampsel and Mary (Gates) Sampsel. She married (first) Earl W. Gardner II of New Jersey and (second) Jeffrey R. Frazier of Bellefonte, both of whom still survive. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers William, James, and Philip.
She is survived by three children (all of whom live in New Jersey), Deanna Lyon and her husband John, Earl W. Gardner III and his wife Megan, and Audrey Schiller, and her husband Steve; two step-children, James Frazier of Doylestown and Kay Frazier of Lancaster; and by grandchildren Karlie and Corey Schiller, and Shelby, Shane, Jacob, Tim, and Anna Lyon. Her surviving siblings include Gladys Sampsel of Centre Hall, Margie Lowery (John) of Bellefonte, Norma McKenney of Lock Haven, Miles (Joyce) of Erie, Edie Sodergren (Dick) of Bellefonte, Paul (Carol) of Tusseyville, David (Carol Gingrich) of Spring Mills, Scott (Mary) of Bellefonte. She is also survived by close friends in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and by her many high school friends, including her special life-long friend Patty (Hironimus) Fogle of Corning, New York.
Helen graduated from Penns Valley High School in 1963, where she was a majorette, played clarinet in the school band, and made many good friends who she cherished all her life. Here she also met the man who became her high school sweetheart and eventually her second husband. She had a ready laugh and was always up for a new adventure, including trips to Okinawa Japan and to Germany with husband Jeff.
She was a very talented and creative person who loved gardening, pampering her flower beds, making many beautiful quilts and wall hangings, and excelling in many other arts and crafts. She also was an excellent cook and enjoyed trying new recipes in her kitchen. One of her other joys was exploring and hiking the backroads and mountains of Pennsylvania with her husband.
An affectionate and caring person she was employed as a caregiver at a home for children with special needs in New Jersey. But she was especially a loving mother and grandmother who was always there for her children and grandchildren when they needed help, and she will be sorely missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
The care, compassion, and tireless support provided to her in her last days by the staff at Centre Crest nursing home in Bellefonte was commendable, greatly appreciated, and a seal of approval for others who may need their services.
A memorial service will be held at New Hope Lutheran Church, 119 Cobblestone Ct. Spring Mills, PA at …….. PM on ……… In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Hope Lutheran Church, 119 Cobblestone Ct. Spring Mills, PA 16875 or to Centre Crest 502 E. Howard St., Bellefonte, PA 16823.