Helen Groner

October 5, 1933 - June 6, 2021

With profound sadness we announce the passing of our mother, Helen Jeanette Groner (Lytle), 87 years young, on June 6th, 2021. Her long and hard-fought battle with Alzheimer’s is finally over! Known affectionately as “Mawmaw” by her grandchildren, “Mom” to her kids, Helen to her friends and “Grouch” by her late husband, she was born in 1933 in Montford Cove Township, McDowell County, in the red dirt foothills of Western North Carolina. She married her husband of 52 years, Michael Howard Groner, in 1952, who preceded her in death in 2004. She is also preceded in death by two sons, Doyle Lytle of Montford Cove, NC, and Michael Howard Groner Jr, who passed away the same day he was born in December of 1953. Mom was devoted to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She is survived by her sons Larry Groner (Susan), Michael Groner (Denise), and daughter, Diane Kelly (John). She is also survived by her grandchildren– Kristi Mann, Michael Groner (Marlene), Heather Hodges (Doug), Kelly Magyar, Cody Groner (Brittany), Christopher Groner (Shelby), Jeremy Groner, Kyle Hanecki and Katherine Kelly and great grandchildren Mackenzie and Mischa Groner and William Mann. She is also survived by her sister, Shirley Childers of Nebo, NC. Mom was a homemaker of the most exacting standards and instilled a sense of pride and tremendous work ethic in all her children. She was an excellent cook and a skilled seamstress, passing on her cooking skills to her kids and grandkids. (The sewing, not so much!) She was one of the strongest people we have ever known, stubborn to the core and a staunch defender of her grandkids who could do no wrong in her eyes. Alzheimer’s is a terrible, cruel disease, and unless you knew her before her illness you can’t really understand just how sad the last 10 years have been. Her Celebration of Life will be held June 24th at 10:00am, with services at 11:00 - 11:30. Please feel free to relax, be comfortable, and wear her favorite color RED if you would like. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://act.alz.org/donate.