Hellen Tells Her Story
In less than 15 minutes, Hellen tells the story of her life, the good and the bad, in a fun but poignant fashion. She was being awarding an honorary degree from the University of Akron in November, 2007. This is my Mom at her best, warm, charming, funny and loving life. Although there are a few parts I wish she would have left out (including my circumcision). In viewing this, I came to realize, I am the first person from my Mom's side of the family who ever went to college.
She was born Hellen Marie Blaner in Donora, PA, a steel town so poor that it doesn't even have a grocery store. She was one of the three girls born to John and Elizabeth Blaner. Her sisters were Gloria and Dolores both named after movie stars. Dolores (aka Dorrie) was named after Dolores Delrio and Gloria was named after Gloria Swanson and Hellen was named after her Mother’s half sister.Her name is spelled with two "l's" unlike the usual spelling of Helen. It is unclear if this is because her parents thought she might have a bit of the devil in her or not.
The Blaner family moved to Akron, then a boomtown driven by the success of tire companies like Goodyear, Goodrich and Firestone. Her dad found work as an electrician, but they were poor, dirt poor. They lived in a tiny house in the Kenmore neighborhood. The three girls slept in the same bed. They had no toys. The only book they had was a medical guide their Father had which became their “storybook” substitute.
Still, they always manage to have fun. Hellen is quick to tell you how she was the youngest, and the most mischievous of the family. She was so bad that her Mom tied her to a their house with a clothes line. Her favorite Christmas gift back then was a porcelain-faced doll she received at a charity function. A beautiful doll- until Hellen put some "perfume" on it and cracked its face!
Tragedy struck when her mother died accidentally when she was only 11. Hellen stepped up and took over the void her mother left, taking care of her sisters and the house while their father worked.
Even with this newly acquired responsibility, Hellen was whiz at school; skipping grades graduating High School by the time she was 16 years old! The nuns (yes, she went to Catholic school) were keen on her becoming a nun. As tempted as she was of the holy life she decided she wouldn’t like wearing the same “uniform” every day. She never really dated in high school, fibbing to boys who asked out, "I'm engaged."
Her reward for being a steallar student- full ride scholarships. From places like Kent State, Ohio State and Ohio Northern and, of course, the University of Akron. She was excited about being the first in her family to go to college. But her Dad said something that changed her life. He said, “If I didn’t go to college, you aren’t going.” So, she didn’t. Instead, she went to work at Akron Tile.
She also fell in love with Nick Lazor, a charismatic and talented professional golfer in Akron. Nick won the first long drive contest in 1948 and went on to create what later became the World's Series of Golf.
Again tragedy struck Hellen. After only being married only a year to Nick, his car was hit and he was severely injured. They also discovered that Nick had cancer, a battle he ultimately lost. His last words to Hellen were "you are the best thing that ever happened to me."
Grieving, Hellen threw herself into her work. While she had always excelled at her job, she now worked even harder.
Then she met Bob Mitten, an up-and-coming ad exec. Nicknaming her "Peaches", Bob was smitten with Hellen. After a year-long courtship, they were married. Hellen stopped working and stayed home to take care of their new son, Mark, who arrived 9 months after their wedding.
Hellen held down the fort and took care of Mark Raymond (she often called him by his first and middle names) while Bob's business grew. She was an incredibly devoted mother who always supported Mark during his years at Anne T. Case Grade School, Litchfield Junior High and Firestone High School.
Mark went off to college and grad school before moving to Chicago and starting his own career in advertising. Bob’s business, Hesselbart & Mitten advertising, thrived, becoming the sixth largest ad agency in Ohio.
During this time Hellen volunteered at the Florence Crittenon Home for unwed teen mothers and at the gift shops at Akron General and St. Thomas Hospitals. She and Bob created one of the first scholarship funds at The University of Akron focused on business students. Over 250 students have benefited from the Robert and Hellen Mitten Scholarships program.
Remembering her poor upbringing in Kenmore, Ohio, she gave back to her friends. Gave back by helping them, listening to them and encouraging them. In looking at notes sent to her from a wide variety of these friends, she is described as "one -of-a kind", "a best friend", "an angel", "someone who always has a friendly word" and "gracious".
Perhaps what made her happiest was the opportunity to assist in teaching learning challenged 3rd graders at Turkeyfoot Grade School. Mrs. Summers, the teacher, and the wife of Dr. Jack Summers, Bob's doctor. Hellen proved to be a natural teacher who having tremendous impact on the kids. It's clear, if she had chosen a career as a teacher, she would have been immensely successful.
Her home was a source of personal and community pride with Keep Akron Beautiful recognizing her contributions countless times, including special recognition from the Mayor of Akron.
And, people from as far as way as Cleveland, kept stopping their cars in front of her house to admire it, take photos and even asking to buy it.
Hellen had genuine style and class. She prided herself on looking put together and embodied classic style. Ralph Lauren was her favorite (even down to her fragrance which was “Glamourous by Ralph Lauren”). Some described her as “noble icon of the community.” Others as “gracious”, “generous”, “elegant” and “iconic.” But all described her as “special.”
Still, she faced more than her share of hardships. Her first husband’s tragic death after they were only being married for a year. Both her sisters dying before her. And, Bob was struck with prostate cancer that he fought valiantly. Sadly, it was a fight he did not win. Ironically he died 22 years earlier in the same hospital. Hellen had now lost not one husband, but two. It was a dark period for her.
She rebounded through the help and support of family and friends.
Hellen has faced her own challenges on her journey- breast cancer and macular degeneration- but she has persevered with her positive spirit. She fell and broke her in 2004 but she made a rapid recovery thanks to her strong spirit, encouragement from her friends, (especially Anna!) and her cane. Hellen was incredibly inquisitive, always asking people questions about their lives- where they lived, where they grew up, how many kids they had. Etc. She was genuinely interested in them. She had a real zest for life.
She had the most remarkable memory, able to tell you what her dress looked like at high school graduation just as easily as advise you to check out the newest candy bar that just arrived at the supermarket market.
She was a tremendous wife, mother, friend and citizen of the community.