Helen Jean Capistrant
1935 - 2023
Our dear mother Helen Jean (Hipps) Capistrant sadly passed away on
Monday, August 14, 2023 at the age of 88 years.
Helen was born in Clearfield to Clifford and Jane (Williams) Hipps, June 18,
1935. She was the 7 th of their 9 children. She married Donald Capistrant in
1954 in Wilson, NC, then a relationship with (the late) Carl D. Nixon of
Grampian, PA from 1976-1995.
Helen is survived by her five children:
Linda B. Melillo, Mazatlan, Sinola, Mexico; James D. Capistrant, Ramey,
PA; Alan C. Capistrant, Kernersville, NC; Gary L. Capistrant, Irvona, PA;
and Kelly J. Foster, Kernersville, NC.
She is also survived by her sisters:
Bette Campell of North Tonawanda, NY, Gloria Wetzel of Philadelphia, PA,
and Mary Alice Olson of Grampian, PA.
She had 17 grandchildren to include:
Holly Ryan, George Simcox, Morgan Capistrant, Christine Jones, Jason
Capistrant, Umbraya Aukerman, Mark Capistrant, James Capistrant, (the
late) Christopher Capistrant, Jessica Capistrant-Remington, Madyson Gill,
Jamisyn Gill, Kya Gill, Evian Gatten, Dallas Potter, Jastin Potter and
Denver Potter, as well as 34 great grandchildren. She was a bonus mother
to countless children and teens throughout her life as well.
She was preceded in death by her father, Clifford in 1976, mother, Jane in
1988, brothers: Dr. John (Jack) Hipps, Robert Hipps, Major Joseph Hipps,
Staff Sgt. Charles Hipps and James Hipps, and infant grandson,
Christopher Capistrant.
Helen Jean lived a long and full life and was very loved by all whom knew
her. To some, she was “mom”, to many she was “grandma”, and to many,
she was our very own “angel on earth”. She had the faith and strength of a
saint. She will be missed terribly by her family and friends. Helen Jean was
a wonderful mother who was always there when anyone needed her. She
was kind, genuine, ambitious, loving, and selfless. May she finally find rest
and peace with our Lord, God.
A virtual memorial will be held Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 5:30 pm
eastern time through a live link on Facebook.
We have set up a memorial fund in Helen’s name for mothers or fathers
living with domestic abuse. She went through over forty years of verbal,
emotional and physical abuse and would have spent her last penny helping
someone get out of a bad situation. Any memorial donations can be
donated to the Helen Jean Capistrant Memorial Fund at
PayPal.Me/HJCMemorialFund.
My mom was a giving, selfless and loving mother. When I divorced, she did not hesitate to move to NC to be with me and my kids. She moved with us everywhere the military sent us. She had a hard life and never complained. She was a bonus mom to all my friends and a bonus grandma to my kids’ friends. Earth isn’t the same without her. I hope she’s having a glass of NC Red and a big slice of lemon pie with her mom, dad and brothers today, knowing that she was loved beyond measure.
There are not enough words to describe our mother. her love for all of us kids was unmeasurable she will be missed by all who knew her she had raised me to be the man I am today I love her and will miss her more than words can describe
My aunt Helen Jean was a sweet gentle person who left me with happy memories of my childhood. My prays to everyone
Helen Was a great wonderful person to all of us growing up in the neighborhood and was always there to help anyone and a very hard worker. I will always remember her and will be sadly missed by myself and many. R.I.P Helen.
Growing up in my Gram’s house I learned a lot from her.
The first was selflessness. I cannot remember ONE time she put herself first. It NEVER happened. Nobody in HER family would go without. If it meant her going without then that’s what she did.
The second was love. There is nothing like my Gram’s love. She loved her family more than I think anyone could imagine. She helped raise siblings, children, grand-children, and great-grandchildren. She had so much love to give.
The third was strength. Growing up in my Gram’s home, I saw her strength both mentally & physically. She fought blood, sweat, & tears to keep her family safe. She is the definition of a strong woman.
And my favorite, laughing. Gram loved to laugh and I LOVED to make her laugh. The real deep, make you cough, laugh. If you’ve heard it, you know exactly how it sounds.
I will miss that the most.