Helen Richissin

Mrs. Helen Edyth (Helen Karch) Richissin, born on December 1, 1915 in Coshocton, Ohio, to the late Martha Karch and the late Walter Karch, passed away at age 102 on August 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. Helen was the loving wife of the late Major Donald L. Richissin. She was preceded in death by her sons, Robert D Stevenson III and Jon Stevenson; brothers, Cecil Karch and Dale Karch; sister, Lorna Koman; and grandchildren, Jonny Stevenson, Shawn Stevenson, and Shane Donald Stevenson. Helen is survived by her grandchildren, Robert D Stevenson IV, Rachelle Helen Stevenson, Lisa Stevenson, and Robert D Stevenson V.

Helen enjoyed careers as a telephone supervisor, department store buyer, display advertiser, interior decorator, designer and human resources specialist. She also earned her real estate license and sold homes. Her true love was interior decorating and she was instrumental in decorating numerous homes, and offices throughout her life.

She was the President of the Pinecastle Officer's Wives Club, sang in the Base Choir, organized and directed the Pinecastle Carrollers as well as the OWC Children's Chorus among many other civil and community interests too numerous to list along with donating resources and time to many charities.

Helen's family was her greatest passion and she adored her Children, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren. She worked to help pay for schooling and other interests for all of them and never let any of them go without if it was within her power to help. She was also dedicated and loyal to her friends and neighbors and never hesitated to present them with cards, letters and delicious home cooked items.

Helen always saw the best in people and believed in treating every person she met with dignity and respect presented with a beautiful smile. Her hope for the future and America were infectious and her ability to make a life story a lesson for someone in need was a talent few can master.

Helen loved singing, gardening, cooking, entertaining, and playing music. She was a member of The Retired Officer's Club of Central Florida, Society of Military Widows, and Military Officers Association of America, and a supporter of USO, Shriner's Hospitals for Children, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Helen is to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery next to her beloved husband Don. The family invites donations in Helen's name to The Shriner's Hospital for Children and/or The Wounded Warriors Project.