Sandra “Sandy” Lee Helman, 75, of Waynesboro, PA, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, November 3, 2025.
Born on February 10, 1950, in Waynesboro, she was the seventh of eighteen children born to Richard E. and Winifred G. (Talhelm) Helman. Sandy spent her entire life in Waynesboro, where she graduated from the Waynesboro Senior High School with the class of 1968.
Throughout her career, Sandy worked for several local companies, including The Shoe Factory, The Knitting Mill, Austin Hill, Regency, and Keystone Country Kitchen. She retired in 1990 due to health concerns.
Sandy previously attended the Church of the Brethren in Waynesboro and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Waynesboro. Her faith and compassion were evident in the way she treated others—with kindness, generosity, and an open heart.
A talented and creative soul, Sandy was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed embroidery. She was also an award-winning poet, a gift that allowed her to meet several well-known people over the years. Sandy was mistaken for a famous person herself! Once while in California, someone asked her if she was Zsa Zsa Gabor! Her favorite color was pink, and it would be rare to see her without pink ribbons in her hair! She had accumulated a room full of porcelain dolls over the years. She had a curious spirit, spending her later years studying homeopathic medicine. Sandy delighted in cultivating vegetables and herbs in her garden, and she cherished making homemade candy with her family…delicious sweets that were loved throughout Waynesboro and even shipped abroad. She also loved going to Ocean City with her sisters.
Family meant everything to Sandy. She adored her many nieces and nephews and shared a special bond with her nephew, Robbie Helman. She had a good sense of humor, warmth, and a giving nature.
Sandy is survived by fifteen siblings: Richard G. Helman of Waynesboro; Patricia A. Lawver of Gettysburg; Wanda J. Miller of Waynesboro; Sherry A. Chandler of Waynesboro; Cynthia K. Easterday of Fayetteville; Deborah C. Mentzer of Waynesboro; Melissa F. Baughman of Fayetteville; Douglas K. Helman, Sr. of Waynesboro; Brenda J. Pryor of Waynesboro; Barbara J. Fisher of Waynesboro; Deanna S. Himes of Smithsburg; Lisa S. Stephey of Hagerstown, MD; Jeffrey L. Helman of Waynesboro; Vicki Helman-Jones of Waynesboro; and Stacey D. Helman of Waynesboro. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who loved her dearly.
In addition to her parents, Sandy was preceded in death by an infant sister, Shelva Jean Helman, and a brother, James E. Helman.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 P.M., Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St. Waynesboro, PA, with her nephew, Pastor Gregory Helman officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., on Monday, November 10, 2025, and again one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
Memorial contributions in Sandy’s name may be given to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital@ St Jude.org, to Blue Rock Church, 7885 Mentzer Gap Rd. Waynesboro, PA 17268, or to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11887 Mentzer Gap Rd. Waynesboro, PA 17268. Online condolences may be expressed at www.bowersoxfuneralhomes.com.
