02/07/2026
Helen Irene Buchholz of Jackson, Tennessee passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, surrounded by family. Helen was born on October 15,1942 in Wolf Run, Ohio to the late Frank and Sophia Shalaty. She married the love of her life Victor Buchholz, Sr. on February 24, 1968. Together they had three beautiful children and seven grandchildren.
Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who was known for her kindness, selflessness, and generosity. She was passionate about her faith, spoiling her grandkids, and celebrating her Polish heritage. Some of her favorite things included hosting Super Bowl parties, playing bingo and balderdash, praying the rosary, watching Hallmark movies, cooking for her family, and indulging in a sweet treat. She and her close friends often took pleasure in day trips to nearby casinos. Helen retired from West Tennessee Healthcare in 2011 after working as a department secretary at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital for many years.
Helen was born to be a traveler. She spent her early years as a travel agent, flying all over the world. She later enjoyed road trips with her family of five, and more recently, annual family vacations with all of her kids and grandkids.
Though her interests were vast, there was nothing Helen loved more than volunteering and serving the Lord. She was a dedicated parishioner at St. Mary's Catholic Church where she spent decades heavily involved in her church community. Some of her most cherished service activities over the years were singing in the church choir, helping at parish fundraising dinners, ministering to the sick and bereaved, volunteering at RIFA, and serving on the church's Altar Society. Her greatest passion was assisting with the opening of the Divine Will and Mercy Chapel at St. Mary's.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Vic of 48 years, siblings, John Shalaty, Veronica Mucci, and Edward Shalaty, several nieces and nephews, and many close beloved friends. She is survived by her three children, Victor Buchholz, Jr. (Kimberly), Patrick Buchholz (Renee), and Angie LaFont (Bill), sister, Frances Thrlin, brother, Phil Shalaty, and seven grandchildren, Mary Buchholz, Nicholas Buchholz, Maddie Buchholz, Lizzie LaFont Wallace (Bryton), Michael Buchholz, Rachel LaFont, and Luke LaFont, and a large extended family of treasured nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass for Helen will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Jackson on Friday, February 13, 2026 at noon with Monsignor Al Kirk officiating. Burial will follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery. Visitation will take place at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Friday from 9:30 until 11:30 with rosary at 11:30. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association, RIFA, or St. Mary's Catholic Church. Helen's family would like to thank the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Humboldt, TN and her West Tennessee Healthcare Hospice team for the loving and compassionate care they provided during her final weeks.
Friendship Funeral Home 731-677-2673
