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CHAMPION--Helen La Merla Y'Barbo Snyder was called home by our Heavenly Father on Saturday morning, Sept. 5, 2026, while residing at Windsor House at Champion, after a lengthy battle with dementia.
Helen was born Nov. 22, 1935, in Chireno, Nacogdoches, Texas, daughter of the late Felix and Laura Mae Lazarine Y'Barbo. Her ancestor, Antonio Gil Y'Barbo, was the founder known as "the father of Nacogdoches, Texas," considered the oldest town in Texas when his family came from Spain in 1766. She was extremely proud of her Spanish heritage.
She was about 14 years old when she came to Ohio from the Houston area to visit her sister Ruth, who was married and lived in the Warren area. She decided to stay here to finish high school. She graduated a year early at the age of 17. While in high school, she pitched for the Leavittsburg Girls Softball Team and was the leading hitter. She played in the Cortland and Hubbard girls' leagues, and while in the Cortland league, she pitched a no-hitter. Her coach Ray Barto said when "Tex" (the nickname she was given because she was from Texas) released the ball, you could hear it pop.
At that time, she was one of the 50 girls, the only one from Ohio, chosen to play baseball in the All Americal Girls Professional Baseball League. She was chosen by the South Bend, Indiana Blue Sox and traded to the Kalamazoo Lassies in 1954.
A favorite pastime was watching her Houston Astros, and those who knew her knew who her favorite player was.
Helen retired from Packard Electric after 37 years of dedicated service, where she gained a lifetime of friends and co-workers, all of whom she loved dearly. She enjoyed golfing and was one of the original golfers in the Packard Electric Ladies Golf League. She also enjoyed playing bocce, where she was a pointer in several women's leagues at Tod Park and the IFH Club in Girard.
Helen was a dedicated member of St. William Church in Champion. She enjoyed being involved with special events, fundraisers, working the festivals, especially the elephant ear booth, fish dinners, the Women's Guild, and serving on the finance committee; she loved her entire family of fellow parishioners.
Helen is survived by her brother, Dennis and his wife, Pauline Y'Barbo; her sister-in-law, Oletta Y'Barbo, all of Houston, Texas; and several generations of nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved unconditionally, as well as her dear friend and caregiver, Sharon Gilmore.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Cliff and his wife, Martha Y'Barbo, and John Earl Y'Barbo; her sister, Ruth and her husband, John Cole; and her infant sister, Maryann Y'Barbo.
A special thank you to the entire staff of Windsor House at Champion, St. William Church, and SouthernCare Hospice Services; and to Vindicator reporter Ed Runyan, Carol Sheldon and the AAGPBL for bringing her baseball career to life.
Family and friends may visit from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, 2026, at Lane Funeral Homes Roberts-Clark Chapel, located at 180 Garfield Drive NE, Warren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at St. William Catholic Church, 5411 Mahoning Ave. NW, Champion.
Burial will follow in All Souls Cemetery.
Family and friends may send their heartfelt condolences by visiting www.lanefuneralhomes.com.
(special notice)