Helen L. (Gorse) Lescanec

Helen Louise Gorse Lescanec

Helen, at the age of 99, passed away peacefully at home in York, Maine surrounded by her loving family on December 24, 2025. She was a proud Croatian (and Slovenian). In her final years, Helen maintained her sassy and feisty demeanor seasoned with generous doses of sweetness and humor.

Born on October 8, 1926, Helen was the daughter of the late Frank R. and Mary Kocevar Gorse. She was a graduate of Harrisburg Catholic High School. After High School she worked at the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Parole Board for nearly two decades.

She was pre-deceased by her husband of 60 years, Louis F. Lescanec, Jr., her sisters Mary G. Maljan, Elizabeth G. Gaven, and her brother Martin F. Gorse.

Surviving Helen are her son, Robert L. Lescanec, his wife Deborah, and grandchildren Christian and Nicolette Anderson. She is also survived by her nieces Gail Gaven, Gene Kates, Glenn Thyne and husband William, her nephew Frank Gorse and wife Holly as well as numerous grand nieces and nephews.

She was a member of Assumption of the B.V.M. (St. Mary’s) Croatian Catholic Church, which served as her spiritual center and primary social venue. Helen derived immense enjoyment from volunteering at the locally-renown annual pre-Lenten St. Mary’s Doughnut Sale, numerous celebratory dinners hosted in St. Mary’s hall, various craft bazaars, and serving as Treasurer of the NCCW Ladies’ Council. She loved her home- towns of Bressler, Steelton and Oberlin, PA and cherished her many friends and neighbors.

A Viewing and Mass of Christian Burial will take place at Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Parish on January 7th, 2026 at 11am. Following the Mass, Helen will be Interred at 1:30pm in Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery with her husband Louis.

Knight Funeral Home, Highspire, PA is handling arrangements in Pennsylvania.

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