It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved mother Helen Dugar Motta on December 22, 2025. Born October 27, 1932 to immigrant parents Frank and Helen Dugar in Cleveland, Ohio. Helen graduated with honors from Elyria High School in 1950. She attended MIT briefly, returning to Elyria where she met Ed Motta in 1952 at the wedding of a mutual friend. They hit it off immediately and married November 29, 1952. They raised their family in Grafton on their farm. Helen supported Ed in his farming endeavors for many years instilling a strong work ethic in her children.

Helen worked as a teacher for two years and many years as a laboratory technician. She worked at General Motors and Worthington Ball. She spent the majority of her career at Invacare, working there for 30 years. A strong advocate for education, she encouraged her children to pursue college degrees. She finished her own bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1980, graduating from Baldwin-Wallace College. In her final days, she expressed how proud she is of all her children's achievements.

Helen loved visiting her family and friends, crocheting, reading and traveling. In her retirement she was known to read five or six books a month. She travelled to Germany to visit cousins 5 times. On a solo trip she went to visit her father's village. She travelled to Italy, a trip of a lifetime she often said. She was always up for a road trip. She spent time between Ohio and with her daughter in Florida. She moved to Florida in 2023 to be able to enjoy more time with her beloved great-grandchildren.

She leaves behind a loving family and countless friends who cherished her warmth, wisdom, and sense of humor. Her memory will live on in the stories we share, the lessons she taught, and the love she gave so freely. She is survived by her children Frank Motta (Beth), Alan Motta (Pam) and Carol Motta Lamm (Terrial); grandchildren Madeline Black (Travis), Samuel Croghan (Anissa), Emily Motta, Olivia Motta, Shannon Lamm and Christopher Lamm (Samantha); great-grandchildren Tucker Black, Caroline Black, Logan Lamm and Harper Lamm as well as a host of extended family members whom she loved dearly. She was preceded in passing by her late husband Edward S. Motta and her son, David E. Motta (survived by his wife, Laura).

We invite all who knew her to join us in celebrating herlife and legacy. May we find comfort in the memories we hold and the love we shared. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit remains in our hearts forever. The family will be receiving guests for a visitation at Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 10:00am – 11:00am with the funeral service to begin at 11:00am.Interment will be held at Ridge Hill Memorial Park following the conclusion of the funeral service.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation for all the caregivers who doted on Helen: the staff of Right at Home, the Grove at Canopy and Big Bend Hospice. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Big Bend Hospice, the TMH Cancer Foundation or to another preferred hospice or cancer foundation