Helen Craig Pyle

HELEN CRAIG PYLE, 84 Helen Craig Pyle traveled to her heavenly home on the morning of Friday December 11th 2015. Born February 3rd, 1931 to James (Jimmy) and Nettie Fulton Craig, Helen was a first-generation American born to her Scottish family. Helen graduated from the Rayen School in 1949 where she was a member of the elite girl's octet. From 1948 to 1954 she was the pipe sergeant for the all-female Heather Highlanders bagpipe band. On July 29th, 1955 she married the love of her life Daniel Beach Pyle whom she had met in Judge Henderson's Sunday school class at the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown. Helen touched many lives with the sound of her beautiful voice, a gift she developed in high school under the direction of her voice teacher Mrs. Weick. As a member of the quartet at the First Presbyterian Church she found great joy in expressing her faith through music. Helen was half of a singing duo at Foster Memorial Presbyterian for many years and performed the alto/contralto solos in Handel's Messiah all over the tri-county area. Her beautiful voice made her a popular choice as a summer soloist for almost every local church and many weddings. Following the death of her husband in 1985, her second love of music kept her busy as she sang with the Youngstown Symphony Chorus for a short time. Helen worked as a secretary at General Fireproofing and at the Youngstown Board of Education before finally retiring from Home Savings and Loan in 1994 in order to spend more time with her family. As the family matriarch, Helen leaves behind three beloved daughters: Suzan Craig Diorio of Boardman, Carol B. Pyle of Chicago and Janice H. Lucas of Portland; her two granddaughters who she simply adored Emily Joy Diorio of Boardman and Kaleigh Bliss Lucas of Portland; and her estranged son Daniel Scott Pyle. Helen is survived by her brother Thomas Craig of New Waterford and many other family and friends she cherished and loved. Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Lane Family Funeral Home, 8387 Tod Ave., Anstrom Chapel, Boardman. Friends may call on Tuesday December 15th 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m. and Wednesday morning 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Helen will be greatly missed by all that had the privilege of knowing her and her infinite love. May we find peace knowing that she has taken her place in the heavenly choir of angels and that her songs now grace the heavenly kingdom, just as they did for so many years on Earth, Helen's voice will continue to praise the Lord in blessed eternity.