Helen Lassiter Rochester

Helen L. Rochester – September 17, 1931 – August 14, 2019

Helen Lassiter Rochester, age 87, passed away peacefully on August 14th in Columbia, Maryland following a lengthy illness. She is survived by three sons, Anthony, Brian and Mark Rochester; her daughter, Valerie Rochester Morgan; four grandchildren, Anthony Jr., Lauren, Donnell and Aidan; brother, James E. Lassiter; sister, Audrey L. Vaughan; nieces and nephews, and many close friends. She is preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Russell Rochester, Jr .

Born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, Helen was the daughter of James E. Lassiter Sr., and Sally Eliza Lassiter, residents of Hampton, Virginia. She graduated from Huntington High School, Newport News, Virginia in 1948 and attended Lincoln School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina. Durham is where she met the man who would become the love of her life, Russell, who was attending North Carolina Central. And while it may not have been love at first site for her, he soon won her over and she eventually left college to marry him.

Following her marriage to Russell in 1952, Helen lived in Indianapolis where as a caring mother and devoted wife she raised a family. She was employed for many years and eventually retired from the Army Finance Center as a computer operator at the former Benjamin Harrison Army Base in Indianapolis. In 2015, she moved to Maryland to be closer to family members.

Helen was an avid lover of gospel music and she would frequently be heard singing hymns that were reminders of her church memberships. Prior to moving to Indianapolis, she joined her family in membership at Saint Paul A.M.E. Church in Newport News, Virginia. She became a member of Phillips Temple CME Church and University United Methodist Church, both in Indianapolis. Her love for singing remained with her until the end.

There is comfort in the memories of how Helen impacted our lives —as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She will always be remembered by family and friends for her strong spirit, her quick wit and sense of humor, her tremendous strength and courage, and above all, for her love of her family.

In lieu of flowers, family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America – www.alzfdn.org

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