Helen Yobst

Helen Yobst, formerly of Greenfield, MA passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at Spring Arbor in Wilmington, NC. She was 100 years old. Helen was born in July 1924 and raised in Greenup, Kentucky, where her parents, Alphonsus and Mary Bustetter owned a restaurant. She recalled some highlights from her childhood, such as hand cranking ice cream; churning butter; and her favorite pastime, enjoying watching the riverboats traveling the Ohio river. Helen moved to Washington, DC during WWII where she worked as a waitress at The States restaurant. There she met her lifelong love, Arthur Joseph Yobst, a US Navy serviceman. Helen and Arthur relocated to Greenfield, MA, were married and raised six children. From 1945 to 1964 Helen was a stay-at-home mother while Arthur made a living employed at the Berkshire Gas Company. In 1964, at the age of 42, Arthur passed away leaving Helen with five children at home, ages 2 ½ to 17, to raise on her own. With great tenacity, she worked to support her family and went on to receive an Associate’s Degree from Greenfield Community College. She never re-married. Helen moved to Miami in 1974, where she began her career as a Medical Records Clerk for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Helen moved several times over the years to be closer to her children. She liked to say the VA in every city she lived hired her the same day she applied because of her reputation as a good worker. She loved assisting the Veterans. Helen always encouraged her children to pursue their education and careers. Indeed, all six of her children graduated from college and had successful careers. Helen was an adventurer. She took her children to the 1964 New York World’s Fair; drove cross country from Greenfield, MA with her two youngest girls to see the Grand Canyon and California; traveled to Mount Rushmore; and rode the hop-on-hop-off tour bus throughout NYC in 2001 on her own. She was fearless and very protective of her children. In later years, Helen read her newspaper every day and loved to play cards, especially poker and canasta, and word games. She had been in her church choir and loved music. One of her biggest thrills was seeing Elvis live in concert. Besides her husband, Helen is preceded in death by her daughter, Dr. Julia Cayuso of Miami; two sisters and a brother. She leaves five children – Christol of Roslindale, MA; Mary of Portland, OR; Laura of Wilmington, NC; Suzanne of CA.; and Stephen of Denver, CO; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She will be missed.

Helen Yobst

July 27, 1924 - November 6, 2024