Helen Andrea Fortin Von Sprecken

Helen Andrea Fortin Von Sprecken passed away on April 23, 2022. She was 89 years old.

Helen was born on September 22, 1932 to Paul and Carla Fortin in a small home in Torrance. She had one brother, Eddie, who was 2 years older. When Helen was in elementary school, the family purchased a home in historic Torrance and enjoyed living in close proximity to aunts, uncles, and cousins. Helen attended Torrance Elementary School, where she earned a variety of academic and citizenship awards. She loved music and began taking piano lessons at a very early age, continuing to play throughout her life. Her favorite composers were Rachmaninoff and Chopin. She also played the saxophone and ukulele.

Helen attended Torrance High School, where she took business classes and was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. She also took shorthand classes and was the fastest at shorthand in her class, receiving a pin for taking 120 words a minute. She continued to earn awards for outstanding academics and citizenship and expanded her musical interests to singing, joining the Girl’s Glee Club. As her brother, Eddie, played the Center on the football team, Helen and her family greatly enjoyed cheering him on at the football games.

After graduating from Torrance High School in 1950, Helen accepted a position as a Clerk Typist at Occidental Insurance Company in downtown Los Angeles. Here, she joined the choir, performing for the community and even cutting a record with the group. Two years later, she accepted a job at Douglas Aircraft in Torrance as a Key Punch Operator and then a Verifier.

Helen married Donald Dean Von Sprecken in 1954 at the Golden Circle Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas. They were married for 67 years, until his passing. Their love and commitment to each other was truly inspirational. Shortly before their first daughter, Debra, was born, Helen resigned from her job with the intention of being a stay-at-home mom. Three years later, their second daughter, Diane, was born.

Helen was a devoted mother. She inspired the joy of reading by reading aloud to her children daily, teaching them to read at an early age, and regularly taking them to the public library to select titles. She was an accomplished storyteller who inspired the same in her daughters. She also assured that they had multiple opportunities in the fields of music and dance. She was active in the Parent-Teacher-Association (PTA) and Girl Scouts and served as a Tri-Gray-Y (YMCA) co-leader, receiving awards for her excellent service from each of these organizations.

Throughout her life, Helen pursued many interests and hobbies. She loved John Steinbeck and with her daughter, Debra, would attend the Steinbeck Festival every year in Salinas. With a group of friends, she and Don purchased a racehorse, Reb’s Bay, who won many races at Los Alamitos. Having spent many vacations in Palm Desert, she and Don eventually purchased a second home there, where they enjoyed relaxing with family and friends. Helen was a master at crocheting and made baby blankets, dog blankets, afghans, scarves, doilies, vests, ponchos, and even jaunty dachshund hats. Her work was truly impeccable. She was also a talented baker with a particular focus on cakes. While she loved both classical and country music, Helen’s favorite singer was Elvis Presley. She delighted in the theatre and concerts, and she and Don often treated their family to these experiences. Helen greatly enjoyed traveling with her family and several friends, her favorite destinations being Hawaii and New England. She was very proud of her Danish heritage and frequently visited Solvang to purchase baked delicacies. Helen loved nature and animals. Her pets included miniature dachshunds Schnapsy, Danke, Gretchen, and von Rhett. She loved football, the USC Trojans being her favorite team.

Helen was a proud member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She enjoyed serving as a Primary Teacher, Visiting Teacher, and Relief Society Secretary.

Helen Andrea Fortin Von Sprecken was a truly selfless person who consistently found joy in uplifting and supporting her family, friends, and neighbors. Her resilience and bravery in battling and surviving breast cancer was inspirational. She was a philanthropist, confidant, and dear friend. She was a caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was magnanimous, donating to many charities and causes. Helen was truly an inspiration to anyone who had the fortune of knowing her.

Helen’s husband, Don, and grandson, Michael, preceded her in death by 3 months. She is survived by her daughters, Debra and Diane (Mike); grandchildren Matthew, Diane (Jason); Lisa; Robert; and Christie (Edwin); great-grandchildren Justin, Nicholas, Hayley, Adriana, Ayden, Kristina, Hannah, and Audrey; and 8 nieces and 2 nephews.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the National Breast Cancer Foundation through the following link:
https://fundraise.nbcf.org/Helen-Von-Sprecken