Helen Jeanette Nay

Helen Jeanette (McCans, Uehrke) Nay

Helen Jeanette Nay, loving and devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away on August 26, 2025 at her home in Roseland, Virginia.

Helen was born in Osceola, Illinois in 1929 to Archie and Una McCans. She and her family survived the great depression by growing a large garden, canning their harvest and having chickens for meat and eggs. Even though times were hard, Helen and her siblings had a good childhood filled with laughter and love. Helen remembers walking with her dad to the general store and he might get her a bottle of coke and take it home to sit by the radio and listen to a baseball game.

After high school graduation, Helen went to work for a doctor in a neighboring city. It was there that she met George Uehrke who would become her husband and the father of her only child, Sharon. After George’s untimely death in 1956, Helen and Sharon faced life together as they would until her death.

Helen loved to travel and did so whenever she could. Her many adventures included fishing trips to Canada, a mule ride down the Bright Angel Trail in the Grand Canyon, exploring the Atlantic seashore, a train trip from Michigan to Seattle Washington and back and many trips through the western United States. She particularly loved to see whatever types of wildlife the areas had to offer such as buffalo in South Dakota, bears in Yellowstone Park and alligators in the swamps of Florida.

Another of Helen’s passions was sports which she followed right up to the end. She looked forward to watching UofM and Detroit Lions football, Michigan State basketball, the Little League World Series and the Olympics. A particularly special day in her household was the Sunday of Memorial weekend when everyone would sit with her and watch the Indianapolis 500 mile race.

But, of all her great loves, Helen loved her family the most. As a mother, she supported her daughter as a mentor and a trusted friend. Helen lived with Sharon for many years as her health declined and their bond was extremely strong. But, Helen shined even brighter when her grandchildren came along. She babysat, attended all of their school functions and sporting events and was there if they needed a shoulder to cry on. Helen would tell anyone that asked about her grandchildren that hers were the best, the brightest and the most beautiful! In the past few years, Helen added three great grandchildren to her family and even though she was separated from them by many miles, she thought of them daily and loved them so very much.

Helen is survived by her daughter, Sharon Grace (John Smith); her granddaughters, Sarah Courtney and Rebecca Magett (Erin) and her grandson, Christopher Stankus; her great grandchildren, Chris Stankus, Jada Stankus and Mia Stankus as well as a number of special nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, Archie D. and Una V. McCans; her sisters, Marguerite (Carl) Walker, Dorothy (Art) Kurzrock, Arlene White and her brother, “Mac” (Ira) McCans.

A funeral service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434-263-4097).