Helen Samarista Fuentes

Helen Samarista Fuentes, 87, of Polangui Albay, Philippines, passed away on January 25, 2023 in Spring Hill, FL.

Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., with funeral services commencing at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Pinecrest Funeral Chapel, 3369 Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34609. Helen's remains will be laid to rest later this year to her native land in the Philippines.

Helen was born in Polangui Albay, Philippines to Bernardo Samarista and Epifania Layson on January 25, 1936. She went to school in Manila. Helen immigrated to the United States in 1968 and became a U.S. citizen in 1975. She married Simon Fuentes on December 30, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois. She graduated from University of Santo Tomas in 1958, earning a Bachelors of Science in Chemistry. She worked for thirty years as a chemist for Sunbeam Appliances and Smith-Kline Beecham Clinical Laboratory. Helen retired in 2000 to be a stay at home grandmother and also was the primary caregiver to her late husband, Simon. Helen enjoyed going to social gatherings with co-workers, friends and family. Helen was known for her delicious "Lumpia" egg rolls at every party. Helen enjoyed traveling to the Philippines to visit her family and frequently traveled to California to spend time with her sister, Monina and nephew, Jason and his wife, Faith. She enjoyed watching and laughing at her favorite shows; The Golden Girls and I Love Lucy.

Helen is preceded in death by her late husband, Simon Fuentes, (Father) Bernardo Samarista, (Mother) Epifania Layson, (Sister) Aurora Zamora, (Brother) Alfredo Samarista, (Sister) Alice Samarista, (Sister) Monina Banog, (Brother) Bernardo Samarista Jr., (Brother) Rodolfo Samarista, and her late son in law, Ricky Smith.

Helen is survived by her only child, Michelle Smith-Leidecker, married to Paul Leidecker, grandmother of Daniel, Corina, Ricky and Gabriel. Great grandmother of Mia and "Lola" (nickname to Maebel, soon arriving Feb. 2023).

Memorials may be given to Pinecrest Funeral Chapel, 3369 Mariner Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34609

The family of Helen Fuentes wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Melissa Sanfold (the "manny", her caregiver), the staff from Chapters Health System Hospice and all of our friends and family.