Lorraine Babcock

    HELPER-Jennie Lorraine Chesnik Babcock, age 88, passed away on May 27, 2018.  She was born January 26, 1930 to Joseph and Jennie Benedict Chesnik in Spring Canyon, Utah.  The family moved to Helper in 1932.  She attended local schools and graduated from Carbon High School in 1947. She was a devoted class reunion committee member.  In her youth, she was known as a great baseball player on Bryner Street.  She told stories about walking to school in knee deep snow, uphill, in both directions!
    Lorraine married the love of her life, Sheldon Grant Babcock on June 30, 1950.  They danced a million steps together and traveled the world, but both agreed there was no place they loved more than their home on 5th Avenue in Helper, where they raised their family and lived for almost 60 years.  Lorraine was a dedicated employee of Mountain Bell Telephone Company, retiring after 30 years of service.  Together with her husband, she was co-owner of Grant’s Distributing Company in Helper for more than 30 years.   They belonged to Helper Dinner Dance.  She was a Past President of the Price Ladies of Elks, having served two terms and was honored as Lady Elk of the Year.  She was a member of the Helper City Library Board for 8 years and Chairperson of the Helper City Planning and Zoning board for 10 years.  She belonged to the Variety Club and was a faithful member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.
    Next to her family, Lorraine’s greatest pride was her Slovenian heritage.  Polka music and dancing were a family tradition.  Grant learned to polka in the Chesnik family home.  She made a promise to her father to carry on the Helper Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ) Lodge 689 and became the Secretary-Treasurer, serving the local Slovenian community for 35 years. She was a regular contributor to the Prosveta, earning their Literary Award.  She was proud to have the Lodge recognized for million dollar insurance status.   During her tenure, she was the first and only woman in Utah elected to the SNPJ National Board of Directors in Chicago and Pittsburg and she served 8 years as an elected Regional Director of Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.  As the local Lodge Secretary, she assisted dozens of young people in obtaining college scholarships. Lorraine was recently recognized as a 70 year SNPJ member. She also served on the Board of Directors and as Secretary-Treasurer for the local Slovenian Home in Spring Glen.  She was instrumental in starting the annual Slovenian Day Picnic and served with her husband as co-chairpersons for over 25 years.
    She loved collecting crystal dinner bells, angel figurines and loved pink roses. She never met a Hershey bar she didn’t love.  Talking with friends and family on the telephone was one of her greatest pleasures in life.
    Most of all, she was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.  She was enthusiastic about life and lived it well. “How sweet it is to love and be loved”.  She will be greatly missed by a community of best friends.  She leaves a legacy of love and kindness.
    She is survived by her son David Grant (Gaye) Babcock, Spring Glen and daughter Shelly Lorraine (Jim) Stephenson, Houston, Texas.  Four grandchildren, Michelle (Sam) Slaughter, Stefanie Jo (Dave) Mumford, Chas (Emily) Morris, and Jenna Raine Morris.  Seven great grandchildren, Cheyanne, Ashlyn, Kaydi Jo, Faith Marie, Isabella Raine, Mackenna, and William Grant.  She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Jo Ann Chesnik Couch, and her husband Sheldon Grant Babcock.
    Vigil Service will be held at 7:00 pm on Friday June 1 at Mitchell Funeral Home in Price where the family will receive friends one hour prior to service.  Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, June 2, 2018, 11:00 am at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Helper where the family will receive friends at the church Saturday morning one hour prior to the Mass. Interment at Mountain View Cemetery in Helper.  Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home where friends are always welcome daily and may share memories of Lorraine online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net
    The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Symbii Home Health and to the employees at the Heirloom Inn for the wonderful and compassionate care Mom received there.
    In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church or to your local food bank.