Helen Louise Craytor

Helen Louise Craytor (née Astrosky) (a.k.a. Mom, a.k.a. Babcia) died peacefully at her son Jay's home on May 18, 2026. Helen was born in Leavittsburg, Ohio, on October 9, 1929, to Andrew and Karolina Ostrowski. A first-generation American, Helen was proud of her Polish ancestry. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Robert (Bob) J. Craytor; her parents; and her siblings Adolf, Bruno (Johnny), Joe, Albon, Amelia (Astrosky) Kacir and Rose Mary (Astrosky) Spangler.

Helen graduated in 1947 from Warren G. Harding High School in Warren, Ohio, where she was a member of the Friendship Club and the Lens and Shutter Club. She loved snow skiing, golfing, and bowling before meeting her future husband Bob at Reactive Metals, getting married, and starting a family. A proud stay-at-home mother for several years, Helen was the cornerstone of her family during their years in Stone Mountain, Georgia. In the early 1970s, she returned to the workforce for 20 years in insurance administrative management before retiring to care for her grandchildren. Helen's greatest joy was supporting her children and grandchildren's passions and ensuring their lives were filled with love and wonderful memories. Helen was a devout Christian, a Cub Scout den mother, a strong and vocal supporter at her children's sporting events and activities, a vacation planner, a Christmas cookie baker, a taco chef, an Easter egg dyer and hider, and so much more.

Helen is survived by her son Jay Craytor and his wife Deborah; her daughter Cindy Craytor; and her son Jon Craytor and his wife Natalie Shearl; her granddaughters Heather Craytor, Chelsea Craytor Harper, and Madison Craytor; her grandson-in-law Mark Harper and her great-grandson Luke Harper; nieces and nephews; her friends and weekly dining companions Bob and Sue McLeroy; and her best friend since the third grade Dorothy (Diochuk) Kost of Warren, Ohio.

Helen's funeral will be held on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at Resurrection Anglican Church, 231 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, Georgia 30188. Visitation will be at 11:00 a.m. with the funeral service following at noon. Her ashes will be interred by her family at a later date at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia.

Helen and Bob instilled in their children a love of nature and the outdoors. Their children have many fond memories of family picnics and trips to North Georgia state parks. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name to Friends of Georgia State Parks, https://friendsofgastateparks.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=2.