Helen Gornall

Helen Frank Gornall, age 98, passed away peacefully at her residence in Littleton, CO on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

Born and raised in Erie, PA, she was the daughter of Louise Zimmerman and Casper Frank.  She graduated from East High School in 1943.  She met and married a fellow Erie native, James W. Gornall, in the summer of 1946.  Her husband was a longtime executive with General Electric and his work took them all over the United States.  

Wherever they lived she became an involved member of local Newcomers Clubs and Welcome Wagon.  During their time in Erie she performed with the choral group the Merri Measures, was a member of the Erie Garden Club, Lake Shore Country Club, the Erie Maennerchor Club, and was an active volunteer at Hamot Hospital.  Aside from her community involvement she loved to knit, enjoyed all manner of card games, playing golf, and caring for her house plants – she had a fabulous green thumb.

She was an involved mother, a caring listener, a good neighbor, and a great friend.  She will be missed by all who knew her.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Gornall, her sisters Marion Frank and Carol Frank Jacobsen.

She is survived by her two daughters, Deborah Gornall Brosy and her husband Michael of Norwalk, CT, Kimberly Gornall Cox and her husband Steve of Evergreen, CO; three granddaughters, Lauren Brosy Steese of Fairfield, CT, Amanda Brosy of Washington, DC, and Kellie Cox of San Francisco, CA; and two great grandsons, Trevor James Steese and Wesley Heaton Steese.  She is also survived by her sister Shirley Whipple of Erie, PA and numerous nieces and nephews.

She will be interred next to her husband in Erie Cemetery.  There will be a celebration of life in the summer for immediate family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local Blind Center, local Hospice Foundation, or charity of your choice in her name.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen Gornall, please visit our floral store.