Helen Deitz Thompson

West Asheville - Helen Deitz Thompson (Hano to her loved ones) was born August 22, 1927 in Bryson City, NC to Frank and Millie Deitz. She lived most of her life in West Asheville, NC. She passed away on February 26, 2012 at Sterling House Assisted Living in Greer, SC. She was surrounded by loving and attentive caregivers from Sterling House and Providence Hospice and went peacefully from this life. For that, her family is very grateful. She was predeceased by her siblings, Ray, Guy, Edith and Gladys. She is survived by her little brother, Emmett Deitz of Taylors, SC and his wife Voncie, as well as many nieces and nephews. Aunt Hano leaves behind a legacy of amazing food, great taste in shoes, a flair for the dramatic and the most beautiful handwriting imaginable. If she had been born in another place and time, perhaps she would have been a chef. Or a costume designer. Or a typographer. But instead, she gave 35 years of faithful service to Carolina Power and Light Co. in their customer service department and loved every minute of it. She enjoyed her career and the people she worked with and stayed in touch with many of them years after her retirement. Aunt Hano entertained us with tall tales and fed us more food than we ever needed. Her biscuits were almost as good as her mamas, and thats a compliment no one will likely receive ever again. She didnt just serve food. She presented it. And her family devoured it. She was once written up in the Asheville newspaper for having an unusually large shoe collection. She always let her nieces play dress up and she never cared if nail polish got spilled or eye shadow somehow found its way onto the furniture. She was happy to see her family enjoying the things she loved. She liked to hear our stories as well as tell her own and she could be counted on for advice if you needed it. But there was some advice she considered timeless: Never get serious with a boy who wont dance. Youre never too old for good skincare products. The pain of wearing beautiful shoes just helps you remember the event where you wore them. Aunt Hano was a real character and will be celebrated as such. She requested that there be no funeral or memorial service, so her family will honor that. Instead, we will have a time of good food and much laughter and a story or two. Or ten. She was a Deitz after all! The merriment will take place at the home of Emmett and Voncie Deitz, 415 Belgray Court, Taylors, SC on Thursday, March 1, 2012 from 4pm-7pm. If you cant join in, feel free to honor Hanos memory by saying to someone, Hey, I bet you have an interesting story to tell. Why dont you share it with me? And if you dont, then just make it up. She would have loved that! In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Providence Hospice, 202 Wall St. Piedmont, SC 29673.