LAURA HELSETH ASHLEY, 56, of Tallahassee, Florida, passed away on March 17th of complications associated with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Laurie was owner of Design Point Homes, a building construction firm, and had previously owned Tre Sorelle boutique, both in Tallahassee. She is survived by her loving family: husband Tom Ashley, and daughters Katie (Tampa), Meredith (Tampa), and Elizabeth (Tallahassee). Laurie was born in Vero Beach, Florida February 13, 1958 to loving parents Arnold and Julia Helseth, both deceased. She was the youngest of three children: Joe Helseth (deceased), and Susan Helseth Roberson, both of Vero Beach.
A 1976 graduate of Vero Beach High School, Laurie graduated from FSU in 1980 with a degree in interior design and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority (Iota chapter). Upon graduation, she returned to Vero Beach and began her career at Richard Plummer Interior Design and eventually opened her own business, Laurie’s Design Studio. She married husband Tom in 1982 and they moved to Tallahassee in 1994. Laurie took time to rear their three beautiful daughters and then obtained her building construction license in 2004, opening Design Point Homes.
Laurie was first and foremost a devoted, loving, and amazing mother of her three daughters. Rearing and loving her children was her greatest pride and joy. Family was extremely important to her and she adored her parents, brother and sister, and nieces Kaley Roberson Stone of Vero Beach (husband Robby) and Megan Roberson Hall (husband Colin) of Ft. Pierce. Also, nephews Christopher Helseth (wife Tina) of Vero Beach, Patrick Helseth of Orlando, Mark Roberson (wife Angie) of Port St. Lucie, and Brian Roberson (wife Loretta) of Leesburg. Laurie also leaves behind three great nephews, Garrett Helseth, Blake Roberson, Tristan Roberson and four great nieces Krista Helseth, Julia and Olivia Roberson, and Jordan Marx. She is also survived by father-in-law Bill Ashley of Pickens, SC (deceased mother-in-law Betty) and two brothers-in-law, Jim Ashley (wife Debbie and daughters Jennifer and Pamela), of Greenville, WV, and Brad Ashley (wife Cindy with daughters Amy Brister and Amanda Paholsky) of Sebastian, FL.
Visitation will be held in Vero Beach on Sunday from 4 pm to 7 pm at Strunk Funeral Home on 17th St. Laurie’s funeral is scheduled for 11 am Monday at First United Methodist Church in Vero Beach. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the ALS Association of Florida, or Big Bend Hospice of Tallahassee, in Laurie’s memory. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/20/14)
VICTOR BLARDINELLI, 97, went home to Our Lord on March 16, 2014, surrounded by his loving family. Born August 30, 1916 in Greenville, MS, he grew up in Shaw, MS with one brother and three sisters; Delia, Josephine, Roy and Mary. He was a devoted husband and father, beloved by his large, close family. Vic served our country in the Pacific during WWII in the U.S. Army, Ohio Buckeye Division. He spent many years working as a mechanic in the aviation industry. Since 1978, he and his sweetheart, Pat, married for 67 years, enjoyed life together in Vero Beach.
He is survived by his wife Pat; daughter Vicki Glenn (John); son Jeff (Mary), sisters Jo Allen of Loxahatchee, FL and Mary Poetsche (Eddie) of Pembroke Pines, FL; four grandchildren Tracy Anderson of Blairsville of GA, Jenifer Baumgardner and Patricia Blardinelli Vero Beach and John Bryan Glenn of Andrews, NC; six great grandchildren Lauren and Lindsey Baumgardner, Rachel and Tucker of Blairsville, GA, Morgan Glenn of Andrews, NC and Evan Adams. He will be dearly missed by his many nieces, nephews, cousins and other extended family members as well as his numerous friends.
A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Family and friends may gather after the service at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Mary Blardinelli, 1420 SW 55th Court, Vero Beach, FL 32968. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice House, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory in Vero Beach, FL. Online condolences may be sent at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (3/20/14)
DIANA MARIE GILLESPIE, 68, died March 16, 2014 at her residence in Sebastian. She was born in Beckley, West Virginia and lived in Sebastian coming from Orlando. She was most recently in real estate sales at the Collier Club in Sebastian. She attended Calvary Chapel of Sebastian.
Survivors include daughter Lisa Durrant of Sebastian, grandsons Derek Durrant of Tallahassee, Brandon Durrant of Vero Beach, Michael Durrant of Sebastian and Shawn Durrant of Sebastian, granddaughter Ashley Wolack of Sebastian, great-granddaughters Skyler Wolack of Sebastian and Kaylee Durrant of Vero Beach, great-grandson Bryson Durrant of Vero Beach.
Memorial contributions may be made to Humane Society Of Vero Beach, P.O. Box 644, Vero Beach, FL 32961, H.A.L.O. Animal Rescue, 710 Jackson Street, Sebastian, Florida 32958. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/20/14)
CAROLYN HENDERSON, 73, died March 15, 2014 at Atlantic Healthcare Center in Vero Beach. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee, attended Queen College, lived in New York City and moved to Sebastian, FL in 1981 from Pigeon Forge, TN. Carolyn was the Supervisor of Teletype Communications with Capital Airlines in New York City and later as a design consultant at Louver Drapes by Valerie in Vero Beach.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Vero Beach and was a former member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and the Eastern Star.
Survivors include daughter Traci Preuss (Adam) of Sebastian, grandchildren Hanna & Natalie and son James Henderson (Jessica Alton) of Asheville, NC. Carolyn loved her family and faith deeply. She lived her life fully. She shared her love of Broadway musicals with her children. We hope there is Coca-Cola in heaven. Memorial contributions may be made to Make A Wish Foundation, Central & Northern Florida, 1053 North Orlando Avenue Ste. 1, Maitland, FL 32751 or Shriners Hospital for Crippled & Burned Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 31356.
SERVICES: Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday, March 20, 2014 at Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach, FL. Funeral Services will follow at 7:00 PM at the funeral home chapel. Interment will be in Pigeon Forge, TN at a later date. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/20/14)
ROBERTA R. JANKOWSKI, of Vero Beach, FL passed away at home on Tuesday, March 18, 2014. She was born October 3, 1935 in Schenectady, NY and lived in Vero Beach for the past 12 years. She was the daughter of Rosemary and Edward Jankowski.Roberta worked for the General Electric Company for 28 years as a product and program manager in a variety of locations throughout the company. She also worked at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY for 13 years at the Lally School of Management and Technology in Management Development and as manager of International Programs. In Vero Beach, Roberta volunteered as an usher at the Riverside Theater and at the County Library Gift Shop.
She is survived by her sister, Marjorie A. Crispino of Scotia, NY; nephews, James E. Crispino and Robert (Michelle) Crispino both of Scotia; great nephews, Michael V. and Anthony E. Crispino of Ballston Spa, NY and several cousins. A funeral mass will be held 10am, Monday, March 24, 2014 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Vero Beach. Donations may be made to the VNA Hospice House, Friends of the Library or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach. www.coxgiffordseawinds.com (3/20/14)
DONALD HOWARD MCBRIDE, 82, of Vero Beach, FL passed away Saturday, March 15, 2014 at the Indian River Medical Center. Don was born in Monmouth, Illinois and moved to Vero Beach in 1997 from Monmouth, IL. Don had attended Monmouth High School and Monmouth College. He had served in the US Army during the Korean War. He retired from Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg, IL as Food Service Manager. Don was of the Methodist faith and a member of the Monmouth American Legion. He loved golf and was in general a great sports enthusiast.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years Susan B. McBride; daughter Connie McBride of Perry, FL; son Buck McBride of Vero Beach; and a brother Jerry McBride of Littelton, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents Andy and Blanche McBride; brothers Andy McBride and Jack McBride; and a sister Jean Moore. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Legion 1110 N 11th St, Monmouth, IL 61462. SERVICES: Services will be in Monmouth. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/20/14)
RUTH E. UNDERWOOD, 84, died March 14, 2014 at Indian River Medical Center in Vero Beach.
She was born in Haralson County, GA and lived in Vero Beach . She retired after numerous years as a Citrus Packer . She was a member of Twentieth Avenue Church of God. Survivors include her daughter Barbara Caudill of Vero Beach. SERVICES: Services will be held at 10:00 AM on March 19, 2014 Twentieth Avenue Church of God, Vero Beach followed by interment at Winter Beach Cemetery. http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (3/20/14)
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