Helen Mangino 82, of Chalk Bluff, passed away Sunday, April 2, 2023.
Visitation and Viewing: 5 – 7 PM Monday, at Lake Shore Funeral Home.
Celebration of Life Service: 10AM Friday, April 14 at First Baptist Church of Gholson
Helen was born April 10, 1940 in Bellmead to Albert Niemeyer and Thelma Wells Niemeyer. She attended West High School. At the age of sixteen, Helen married James L. “Gino” Mangino, a career Air Force man. They started a family and moved around where he was stationed including Puerto Rico. As a military spouse, she joined the clubs and organizations with other military wives. She held officer positions and organized club functions. She put in countless hours volunteering to help the military community wherever they were stationed. The family settled in the Waco community in 1977.
Helen continued to volunteer when she settled in Waco. She was chairman of one of the arts and crafts department at the Heart of Texas Fair Youth Division. They took in, judged, displayed, watched the entries while the fair was open and returned the entries to the children. She would dress up as a clown during the fair to entertain people. She did that for more than 20 years. She also worked the Jerry Lewis Telethons and would help anywhere she was needed. She worked at Murphy’s Pump Repair Shop in Lacy Lakeview. Helen owned Silk Plants Plus in Waco and worked at J. C. Penny. She always made time to take her kids to various activities when they were younger. She was Brownie Leader, Girl Scout Leader, Room Mother and their biggest cheerleader. Helen was very loving and generous, and loved spending time with her family and friends.
She was a member of First Baptist Church of Gholson, where she helped with VBS and other church functions. She enjoyed bowling and going to city, state and national tournaments. She loved going to look for “treasures” at thrift stores. She was very crafty, she enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and making flower arrangements. She was always looking for unique ideas. She liked meeting new people and would set up at craft shows.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 66 years, James “Gino” Mangino; daughter, Donna Griffin; sister, Aleene Niemeyer; and three brothers, Marvin Niemeyer, Robert Odell Niemeyer, and Alfred Niemeyer.
Survivors include daughters, Debra Mann (Marc) of Auburn, WA, Destiny “Dusty” Young (Jamie) of Gholson; grandsons, Nicholas Mann (Jeanina) of Homestead, FL, Christopher Mann of Enterprise, AL, and James “BJ” Young of Gholson; granddaughters, Daniella Roberts (Jeremy) of Ft. Irwin, CA, and McKenzie Mann of Auburn, WA; great-granddaughter, Summer Mann of Enumclaw, WA; great-grandson, Nathaniel Mann of Homestead, FL; sister, Betty Niemeyer Dupree (Bill); brother, Rick Niemeyer (Syliva), many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
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Helen was a great friend and she always cared for me and my family! We are going to miss her dearly.
Dusty, I am so sorry to hear about your mother. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Lynn Pearson
Thoughts and prayers.
Helen was one of my best bowling friends & also a beauty shop patron for about 20 years!! We had lots of fun together & I will miss her very much!
So sorry to hear this, she was my coffee buddy for her short stay with us at the nursing home. Prayers for you all. Such a sweet little lady.
We are praying for you and your family. Your Mom was awesome. We were blessed with great parents.
I know you miss yours and she’s with your Dad and other loved ones. We love you! ❤️🙏🏻
Helen was such a sweet, and talented lady. Always having fun, snd laughing. I enjoyed being around her. She made great divinity!!
Thinking of you all. ❤️
I loved Helen so much. She was the sweetest person. There is nothing she wouldn’t do to help if she could. Will miss her so much. Prayers for her family
She was an awesome lady!! It was an honor to have
Known her. She will be missed
Our deepest condolences to Mrs. Mangino’s family! We are sorry for the loss of your loved one.