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Helen Fagone Helen Fagone, 85, surrounded by family, passed peacefully into the heavenly arms of the Lord February 7, 2007. Helen was born May 24, 1921 to Earl and Emma Maltby Smedley. She attended Medford public schools, graduating from Medford High in 1939. Her education continued at the U of O for more than three years when it was interrupted by a handsome Sergeant SJ Fagone (Benny) from New York City who chastised her for standing up one of his soldiers. They were married November 12, 1943 and had three children. This earthly union lasted 43 years until Benny's death in 1986. Helen lived a full life with a variety of interests. At the old Lincoln school, she taught an adult exercise class, was a Cub Scout leader, room mother and President of the PTA. She was involved with the election board at both Lincoln and Roosevelt schools for many years. She was very dedicated to the American Red Cross as a volunteer as well as a blood donor, donating 25 gallons into her 80th year. In 1957, the Fagone Family built a cabin at Diamond Lake, where friends and family gathered to enjoy Ben and Helen's hospitality. She treasured her time spent with Benny, fishing at Diamond Lake and camping and hunting near Silver Lake and Fort Rock; though she armed herself only with her knitting needles! Helen was an avid knitter and put much love into everything she knit. Her Christmas socks, which number over 1000, are well known to Medford families and around the world. Helen was selected as Medford Mother of the Year in 1961 and Grandmother of the Year in 1998. She served as Medford's First Lady when Benny was elected Mayor in 1975. In 1985, she and Benny were both inducted into the Medford Sports Hall of Fame for their involvement in Medford Softball. Helen learned scorekeeping at an early age from her mother, Emma, and continued to keep score until age 80. Fagone Field honors Ben and Helen for their tireless effort to share their passion of softball with the citizens of Medford. When her own children were grown, Helen began to reach out to children in the community. For several years she taught special needs children through a local church and every summer she had a program through the Summer Parks and Recreation Program that allowed her to stay connected to "her kids" who were so dear to her. She also began bowling and joined a weekly car club and Sojourners where she had many friends. She and Benny also traveled around the U.S. as well as two trips to Europe during their retirement years. Helen was a member of Grace Church of Central Point. Helen is survived by her children, Samuel Sr. and wife, Sharon, Patricia and husband, Gary Colfax and "Toni" Antoinietta and husband, Robert Dawson; six grandchildren, Samuel Fagone, Jr., Nicholas Fagone, Daron Dawson, Tricia Sanislow, Michael Colfax, Sr., and Amy Stewart; ten great-grandchildren, Samantha (SJ) and Calla Fagone, Brandon Stewart, Michael Colfax, Jr., Rain Morris Colfax, Tianna, Kaitlan and Jordan Sanislow, and Morgan and Hanna Dawson. Also surviving Helen is her sister-in-law, Dorothy Smedley; niece, Jan Bullard and son, Corey; as well as extended family in Michigan and New York. Waiting in Heaven to greet her is her precious Benny; her parents; and her brothers, Charles and Leonard. The entire family is grateful for the love and tender care given mom by Kimber and her staff at Arbor House. Visitation will be Friday evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 17, 2007 at Perl Siskiyou Chapel. Pastor Damon McCoy will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Special Olympics, Red Cross or School District 549C Athletic Scholarship Fund to honor our Mother.