Helen Sheltz Raia

September 7, 1920 - March 8, 2016

Helen Sheltz Raia was born in Houston September 7, 1920 and died March 8, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel E. Raia; her parents, Robert Perry and May Milhomme Sheltz; sons John Charles Raia and Daniel Thomas Raia; sister Irene Tamborello; brothers George Sheltz and Robert Sheltz. She is survived by five children and their spouses: Antoinette (Toni) R. Spigelmyer Biggs and John, Sugar Land, TX; Samuel P. Raia and Sue, Eden Prairie, MN; Marianne R. McGill and Ralph, Farragut, TN; Joseph P. Raia and Earline, Houston; and Joan R. Singer and Larry, Cypress, TX. Also, grandchildren Paul Fruia (Kelly), Sugar Land, TX; Perry Fruia, Houston; Troy Fruia, Houston; Ali Spigelmyer Elliott, New Waverly, TX; Natalie Pettegrew (Justin), Rome, GA; Tim Raia, Robbinsdale, MN; Nick Raia (Kari), Minneapolis, MN; Cathryn Raia, Minneapolis, MN; Norman McGill (India) Seattle, WA; Kimberly Pratt (Jason), Kingsport, TN; The Reverend Jonathan Raia, Austin, TX; Michael Raia, Austin, TX; David Weeks, Conroe,TX; Rodney Singer, Cypress, TX; Leah Weeks, NY, NY; 15 great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, her sister, Adrienne Bernard, Baytown, TX; and numerous nieces and nephews. The Raia family will be present to receive friends Thursday, March 10, 2016 from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 PM at Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079. A Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by her grandson, The Reverend Jonathan Raia, will held Friday, March 11, 2016 at 10:30 AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079. Mrs. Raia will be laid to rest in Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery. Pallbearers are her grandsons: Paul Fruia, Perry Fruia, Troy Fruia, Tim Raia, Nick Raia, Norman McGill, Michael Raia, David Weeks, and Rodney Singer. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, the National Breast Cancer Foundation at www.nationalbreastcancer.org, the P.E.O Foundation for Chapter BB, Houston at www.peointernational.org/peo-foundation .