Helen Stroppe

Helen (Tavasti) Stroppe, 94, passed away peacefully on March 19, 2016 in Huntington Beach, CA in the home of her daughter Luanne (Stroppe) Hallett.

Helen Tavasti was born December 1st, 1921 to Selma and John Tavasti in Ontario, CA. The Tavasti family later moved to Long Beach, where Helen met Bill Stroppe while attending Long Beach Poly High School. Helen and Bill were married March 22nd, 1942 in Yuma, AZ, while Bill was on leave from the Navy where he served in the South Pacific. Helen and Bill lived in Long Beach where they raised their two children, Luanne and Willie.

Helen was a talented artist, and she created beautiful water color paintings of her grandchildren (Jeff and Natalie Hallett), sports figures, and nature. Helen enjoyed her family and life-long friends Sybil Hale, Dottie Briggs, and Annabelle Mowrey; the daily challenge of filling out crossword puzzles; traveling; and following the Dodgers, Lakers, and Notre Dame Football.

Helen is survived by her sister-in-law, Catherine Tavasti, her daughter Luanne (Stroppe) Hallett (and husband Burdett Hallett) and her son Willie Stroppe (and wife Debbie Stroppe). Helen's grandchildren include Jeff Hallett and Natalie (Hallett) Arvesen, and three great-grandchildren.

A private funeral service is being held on Saturday, March 26, at Forest Lawn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations be considered for:

Pacific Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation
2755 Bristol Street, Suite 275
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Please add "In Memory of Helen Stroppe" in the memo line of the check.