Helen Boyle

She was our North Star.

Helmi Helen Laitila was born in the Copper Country of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Helmi and Elias
Laitila. She grew up with two sisters, Karen and Barbara, and two brothers, Ed and Bill. After graduating
with honors from high school she attended Suomi College, then joined the Air Force, which wasn’t
common for a young woman of 18 in the 1950s.
It was in the Air Force that Helen met her future husband. In a letter to her family she described John
Boyle as "dreamy." Their romance would last for the rest of her life.
After marrying in 1956, Helen and John transferred from the Pentagon to England. As young newlyweds
they enjoyed the simple pleasures, such as watching the BBC while eating meals on their dinner table:
an ironing board.
Helen retired from the Air Force and became a full-time homemaker and mother to three children born
in quick succession: Rhennie, Johnny and Josselyn. Johnny and Josselyn were born in Naples, Italy,
where John was stationed. Imagine raising three young children and washing cloth diapers with no
washer and a clothesline for a dryer!

In 1970 the family returned stateside, to Maryland, then to Michigan. Overall, Helen masterminded  21
moves, domestic and international. Their next stop after Michigan was Dayton, Ohio, where Helen
completed a Bachelor’s Degree in English at Wright State University, summa cum laude. Then, onward
to Calfornia, and finally, South Carolina.

Helen and John shared 66 years of devoted marriage. It was beautiful to witness their love and
commitment, through good times and bad. Helen loved all children, and her four grandchildren brought
her much joy. She first welcomed her “ready-made grandson,” Scott, followed by Callum, Dominic and
Miles. She enriched their lives with love, patience and lots of fun.

In later years, John’s dedication ensured that Helen received the best of care. She had advanced
dementia, complicated by Parkinson's disease. Last week she contracted Covid-19. In her weakened
condition, Helen was unable to recover.

This is a loss for anyone who knew and loved her. More than anything, Helen was known for her
kindness and generosity to strangers, her undying loyalty to family, her ability to form deep friendships
and her warm and playful sense of humor that was evident even during her advanced dementia.
Anyone who knew Helen loved her. And this love was always reciprocated. Always.

Helen is survived by her husband John Boyle III, her siblings Karen Johnson, Barbara Berry and Bill
Laitila, her daughters Rhennie Boyle (beloved husband Mike Adams pre-deceased Helen) and Josselyn
Majors (husband Brad), her son John Boyle IV (wife Grace), her grandchildren Scott Tiscione (wife
Megane Laguerre), Callum Gill, Dominic Gill and Miles Boyle.