Helen Emma Roman Sigal, 96

Helen Emma Roman Sigal, 96, of Hendersonville passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2014, at Sharon's Place in Edneyville.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Eydie Merwitzer and her husband, Bill of Edneyville; her son, Robert Cramer and his wife, Caroline, of Clarkesville, Ga.; daughters, Rochelle Pettes of Pittsburgh, Pa. and Rozlyn Sigal of Land O'Lakes, Fla.; grandchildren, Jeffrey and David Marmins, Neil and Elliot Pettes, Micaela and Brady Robinson, Christopher, Clay and Craig Cramer, Cathi Cramer Costa and great grandchildren, Alec, Tatum, Hannah, and Cole Marmins, and Rylee Costa. Other survivors include her two brothers, John Roman and his wife, Kitty, Harry Roman and his wife, Pat, her sisters, Dolores Sunkin and Elizabeth Lucci, all who reside in the Western Pa. area, many nieces and nephews, and step-children and grandchildren.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pa. September 1917, Helen was one of 11 children. Being one of the oldest, she was given the responsibility to help care for her younger siblings, in particular her brother, Harry, who always thought of her as his "sister-mom." She was married for 63 years to the late Meyer Sigal who often referred to her as his "Beautiful Yaya."

She was a lifelong residence of Pittsburgh until October, 2002. Following the death of her husband and in declining health, she relocated to Hendersonville and has been in her daughter's care ever since. In August, 2012 her daughter and son-in-law, Eydie and Bill Merwitzer, moved her permanently to Sharon's Place to be cared for full time by Sharon Holcombe who had become more like daughter to Helen as she had been assisting with her care since shortly after they moved to Hendersonville. The caregivers at Sharon's Place who also became part of Helen's life and provided very special loving care are Irene Merrell, Michael Reed, Suzie Short, and Caroline Short. Wendy Rath and Dorothy Jeffrey also provided exceptional private in-home care giving as well during the years that Miss Helen lived with her daughter as well as when she lived at Sharon's Place.

Helen's goodness, strength, and beauty came from deep within her soul. She was a favorite wherever she was from the time she was a child to her last days at Sharon's Place. Her passing leaves a void in every heart that knew her.

There will be a Memorial Service at Agudas Israel Synagogue, Hendersonville, ag 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 4, 2014. Refreshments will follow the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Sharon's Place, 2140 Lamb Mountain Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792 or to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or 1.800.272.3900.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge arrangements.