Helen Annabelle Wallace was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on January 2, 1902, the fourth child and only daughter of Gerard and Louise Wallace. A beautiful girl with a sweet disposition, Helen immediately captured the hearts of her parents and brothers.

At Lincoln Elementary School in Johnstown, Helen discovered a love of reading
that remained with her always. She excelled as a student and received numerous awards for scholastic achievement throughout her school years. After graduating near the head of her class from Johnstown High School in 1920, Helen attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she studied literature in the hopes of becoming an English teacher.

But fate intervened, and in the beginning of her sophomore year, Helen caught the eye of a handsome senior named William Roslin, who asked a mutual friend to introduce him to Helen. Bill was drawn to Helen’s beauty and quick wit, and she was charmed by his attention. When Bill graduated the following June, Helen also left school, and the couple married on May 15, 1922 and settled near Youngstown, Ohio, where Bill landed a teaching position in a private school.

Throughout their marriage, Helen dedicated her life to making a warm home for Bill and their children. Her cooking and baking skills were legendary in the neighborhood, and Sunday dinners at the Roslin home were often shared with extended family members and friends. The Roslins were active in St. Michael's parish, and Helen's life was an example in faith for her children.

When the youngest Roslin child entered high school, Helen returned to college as a part-time student, and in 1940, she graduated with a Bachelors degree in English. Upon graduation, she worked as a librarian, surrounding herself with the books she so loved--a position she held until she and Bill retired in 1968.

After retirement, Helen and Bill were more active than ever. They enjoyed traveling together, and spent an entire summer touring the western states. As their children raised families of their own, Helen and Bill became doting grandparents who loved spending time with their grandchildren when they weren't on the road.

Helen's heart was broken when Bill died suddenly of a heart attack on November 13, 1987 after 65 years of marriage. He was the love her life, and she never fully recovered from her grief.

Still, Helen remained amazingly active until her death on March 16, 2001, just two months short of her 100th birthday. The day before she died, she attended the wedding of her great-granddaughter, where many guests commented on her apparent health and vigor. Later that night, Helen passed peacefully in her sleep.
At her request, Helen was cremated immediately following her death. A memorial service in celebration of Helen’s life took place on June 7 in the Rose Garden at the Gately Museum in Youngstown.

Helen is sadly missed by her son, Thomas, and his wife Janine; daughter Kathleen Simmons and her husband Joseph; son Gerard and his wife Maureen; 6 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.