Helen S. Cummings

Helen S. Cummings, 93, a well-known and longtime resident of Franklin, who also enjoyed half her time in AZ the last 10 years, passed away on Saturday July 5, 2025 at UPMC Northwest in Seneca with family by her side.

Born in Franklin on January 27, 1932, she was the youngest daughter of the late Diamond and Eugenia Peterson Stephanides.

In her early years, Helen's family owned the L and C Restaurant (now Leonardo’s) on Liberty Street. As a young girl she helped at the restaurant.

Family was everything to Helen, especially her grandchildren. She proudly displayed a license plate "YIAYIA8" which everyone in town recognized in PA and AZ. Even her email reflected that love as yiayiaof8@gmail.com. Helen loved vacationing at the beach in Longboat Key, FL with her family. She treasured any holiday spent with her son and daughter’s families, especially Christmas!

Helen attended the Grier School in Tyrone, PA and then completed one year of Jr. College. She worked as a secretary at Joy manufacturing. Helen loved her Greek heritage, the food, the dancing, the kefi, and it was at a summer convention of the Tsintzina Society in Jamestown, NY that she met her future husband.

Helen married Nicholas P. Cummings on June 21, 1958. They built their life together in Franklin, Pa. Helen humbly and joyfully served on the Altar Guild at St. John Episcopal Church for many years. When she wasn’t with her family or keeping a pristine home, she enjoyed (and excelled at) playing bridge.

Surviving are two children, Dr. P. Dean Cummings-Koumontzis and his wife Angela of Scottsdale, AZ and Niki Volmrich and her husband Doug of Franklin, and eight grandchildren, Nicholas, Constantinos, Alexander, Marcus (Melissa), Demetrios and Stavros Koumontzis, and Elias and Alexandra Noyes, and one great granddaughter, Penelope Katerini Koumontzis. Helen will also be deeply missed by many beloved nieces, nephews and their families.

Helen was proceeded in death by her parents and her husband, and siblings Marcus Stephanides, Olympia Stephanides Tillman and Leo Soutouras.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Huff-Guthrie Funeral Home & Cremation Services Inc., 312 West Park St. Franklin where friends and family are welcome from 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Saturday, July 12, 2025.

A Greek Orthodox Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home at 12:00 P.M. Saturday, July 12, 2025 with Father David Tillman, her nephew, officiating.

Interment will follow at Franklin Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to either Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 8202 East Cactus Road Scottsdale, AZ 85260 or to The Barrow Civic Theatre 1223 Liberty St. Franklin, PA 16323.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting huffguthrie.com.