She and her sister, Mary Catherine, grew up on the “West Hill” in Dubuque, just a few blocks from St. Columbkille’s , the neighborhood Catholic parish church and school. She graduated from St. Columbkille’s High School in 1943 and the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1946. On April 26, 1948, she married James P. Walsh of Dubuque at St. Columbkille’s Parish Church. He died on December 5, 1995. Since 1989, Jim and Helen were parishioners at St. Sebastian’s Catholic Parish in Sturtevant, Wisconsin.She was proud to be a Registered Nurse and worked for more than 40 years, specializing in geriatric nursing with a special interest in the developmentally challenged. During her career she worked at several hospitals and nursing homes, including Brookside Care Center and Shady Lawn in Kenosha; Pleasant View Nursing Home and The Monroe Manor in Monroe, Wisconsin; Grant County Hospital in Lancaster, Wisconsin; and Mercy Hospital in Dubuque.
Survivors include her three children, David J. (Alice) Walsh of Carmel, New York, Linda M. (James) Scharine of Greenfield, Wisconsin, and Patrick S. (Elizabeth) Walsh of Eugene, Oregon; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth R. (Ryan) Hunt of Anchorage, Alaska, James and John Walsh of Carmel, New York, Gregory and Kathryn Scharine of Greenfield, Wisconsin, Colleen and Shannon Walsh of Eugene, Oregon; and great-grandchildren, Abigail and Corrina Hunt of Anchorage. Also, a sister in-law, Mary Anne (John) Chism of Raleigh, North Carolina; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
Helen was immensely proud of her husband, family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; Catholic faith, Irish heritage, the nursing profession, Dubuque and the state of Iowa, and her wonderful friends and neighbors.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, a brother and sister in-law, William and Irene Stafford of Dubuque, Iowa; and a sister and brother-in-law, Mary Catherine and Edmund Shapley of Bettendorf, Iowa; and two nephews, James Shapley of Portland, Oregon and Keith Chism of Raleigh, North Carolina.
On Friday, October 9, 2009, relatives and friends may meet the family at Maresh-Meredith & Acklam Funeral Home, 803 Main St., in Racine, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturday, October 10, 2009, visitation will be from noon to 1 p.m. at St. Columbkille’s Catholic Church at 1240 Rush St. in Dubuque and followed by a funeral Mass. Interment will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Key West, Iowa. Fr. Gabriel Anderson, pastor of St. Columbkille’s Catholic Church will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Apostolate to the Handicapped, Box 443, Monroe, Wisconsin 53566.
The family would like to give special thanks to the medical team and staff at Brookside Care Center who lovingly and tenderly took care of their mother as well as a host of friends and former colleagues who took time to visit her regularly.
MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888
4 comments:
Sorry to hear about your mother. We all feel a great loss as we were neighbors to all of you at one time in Racine on Blaine Avenue and my mother Remore was a good friend to Helen for many years. Hope you children remember the Olsen kids and Family.
Scott Olsen (twin to Mark)
I remember your mother fondly; she was a wonderful woman.
Carrie Olsen Zuehlke
Dublin, Ohio
I remember your mother fondly; she was a wonderful woman.
Carrie Olsen Zuehlke
Dublin, Ohio
I'm sorry I was unable to attend the visitation for your mother but I was out of town. We have very fond memories of the time you spent on Blaine Avenue and I know my mom treasured the long time friendship she had with your mom. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Cindy Olsen Lieungh
Racine, Wisconsin
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