Obituary of Helen M. Albright-Craskey

Helen M. Albright-Craskey, age 101 of Glen Mills, PA passed away on June 21, 2021 at home surrounded by family and words of love. In Southwest Philadelphia, born and raised, with family and friends, she spent most of her days. She graduated from West Philadelphia High School, Class of 1938. Within a few years, Helen became an executive assistant to a rear admiral and aided the US efforts during the start of World War II. In between work and an active social calendar, Helen fell in love with a Francis J. Albright whom she married in December 1942. Despite her new husband quickly departing for basic training in California, Helen booked her solo Greyhound ticket to travel cross-country to see him off from San Diego. Upon her husband's return from the war, they settled into married life, which produced 3 sons; Frank, Jerry and Steven Albright. Sadly, Helen became widowed in 1957 but with the loving support of her family, she raised her boys in Philadelphia. Later in life, Helen worked in the trust department of PNC bank and during this time had a chance encounter with a high school friend by the name of Tom, who was widowed with 3 sons and a daughter. Luckily, Tom was able to light up Helen's heart once again and helped her become officially "Nanny Tom" to her 2 year old granddaughter. Sadly, after their wedding in 1975, Tom fell ill and passed away within 9 months leaving her a widow again at age 56. But the single most important role to Helen was that of Mother. She was devoted to her sons, always giving them special moments to cherish, whether it was through rides to Worth Lake or that special toy at Christmas. She cherished their individuality and love of all genres, including weather, dinosaurs, or music. Finances never stopped her from creating magic for her boys during every holiday and she carried on this tradition for her grandchildren. She was the creator of so many traditions, the special trips to town and the sparkle in their lives that rivaled even Santa Claus at times. She made sure to always be, not only a grandmother, but a friend who shared her passions with them. She was an avid reader who loved exploring her faith, history and a little romance through stories. She passed these loves on to her oldest granddaughter, Alicia and her great granddaughter, Gabriella. Her game playing passion was fine-tuned with her youngest granddaughter, Susan, and her love of golf with great grandson, Greyson. Lastly, Helen was a lover of kitty cats and cherished warm, loving relationships with her daughters-in-law, Joanne and Patty. She enjoyed having girls enter her world after growing up with 4 brothers and 3 sons. She never tired of hearing about anyone's endless adventures and often could be found laughing over tales of her own travels in the United States. Helen was a long time member of St. Barnabas and, in her final years, a parish member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Faith played a critical role in shaping Helen's approach to life. A devout Catholic, she lived her life always doing the right thing. Helen, aka Mom, aka Nan, aka Grandmom will be missed by all who knew and loved her. 101 years was still simply not long enough.

In addition to her parents, Andrew and Pauline Hendrichouski Soltis, Helen is preceded in death by her first husband, Francis J. Albright and her second husband, Thomas Craskey, son, Gerald Albright who passed in 2005, daughter in law, Joanne E. Albright who passed in 2017, and 4 brothers, Andrew, Joseph, George and Edward Soltis. She is survived by 2 sons, Francis J. Albright and Steven (Patricia) Albright, 2 granddaughters, Alicia (Kenneth Jr.) Lupold and Susan (Heather) Albright-Goldring, and 2 great grandchildren, Gabriella and Greyson Lupold and fur grandson Dusty. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 29, from 9:30-10:15AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 430 Valleybrook Road, Glen Mills, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30AM. Interment. Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon, PA. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital at (www.stjude.org). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneralhome.com.