Helen (Sterbentz) Mencin

Helen Mencin (nee Sterbentz), aged 99, transitioned to eternal life and a glorified body, free at last from the pains and sorrows of this world.

Our mom was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, the daughter of the late Katharina and Michael Sterbentz.

She met our dad John Mencin on a date arranged by their parents. They married shortly after and celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary just before our dad died. Ohio was home for them for many years before moving to Mississippi and finally to Arizona in 1991.

Mom was a strong Slovenian woman who raised three daughters, showing by example her generation’s values of a strong work ethic, devotion to God and country, the importance of a good education, and the value of saving for future needs.

A first-generation American, Mom lived through a lot of history- the Great Depression, World War II, Korean and Vietnam Wars, Mideast wars, September 11, and a global pandemic- with unflappable courage, fortitude, and optimism.

She was known by many for her grace, sweet nature, and kind heart.

Mom was predeceased by our dad John Mencin, her parents Michael and Katharina Sterbentz, her stepdad Frank Drazumerich, her brother William Sterbentz, and her son-in-law Donnie Akridge.

She is lovingly cherished in the memories of her daughters Kathleen Akridge, Helen (John) Lavoie, and Deborah (Larry) Bryson); a sister-in-law Jean Sterbentz; her grandchildren Jason (Valerie) Akridge, Nathan (Andrea) Akridge, Steve (Kim) Lavoie, Christine Lavoie, and 10 great-grandchildren; and Stephanie Sheley who, through her love of our Mom, became another “granddaughter”.

Our family wishes to thank the staff of Prestige Assisted Living who not only cared for our mom the past year but loved her as they would their own mother. Thank you to Casa de la Paz Hospice for their assistance in making our mom’s last days one of peace and comfort. A special thank you to Father Mike Martinez for all his visits and for tending to her spiritual needs.

A memorial service will be held on November 22, 2023, at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of the Mountains Church on Yaqui Street in Sierra Vista.

A Mass of Christian Burial, followed by a commitment of our mom’s cremains next to our dad’s, will be held on April 4, 2024, at 10:30 A.M. at Our Lady of the Mountains Church.

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