Helen Rom Obituary

Helen Gray Rom, age 60, a Glen Ellyn resident for the last 36 years, passed away on October 28, 2009 at Nothwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL. Helen had scleroderma for many years, finally succumbing after she fought a very hard battle. She was born May 5, 1949 in Milton, MA. Helen was an elementary school teacher in Villa Park School District 45; later a medical receptionist for the DuPage Medical Group. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from National College of Education (now National Lewis University) in 1972 majoring in Elementary Education and Speech and Drama; Master of Science in Education from Northern Illinois University in 1975. Helen was interested in antiques including furniture and lanterns, along with traveling and cruising with family and close friends. She loved to shop for individual special presents the year round. She was a member of the Art Institute of Chicago, Morton Arboretum and a local book club. Helen is survived by her husband, Paul R. Rom; daughter, Holly G. Beavers (nee Rom) and her husband Ryan E. Beavers of Denver, CO; brothers, Roland (Geralyn) Gray III, Jeffrey (Karen) Gray and sister, Elizabeth Gray-Nix (Ronald Nix), all of the Boston, MA area. She was preceded in death by her parents. Memorial service at 11 a.m. on December 5, 2009 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 802 E. Geneva Rd., Wheaton, IL with the Rev. David W. Hanson officiating. Interment in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, MA and Valhalla Memorial Park in Milwaukee, WI. In lieu of flowers, donations/memorials may be made to the Scleroderma Foundation at www.scleroderma.org. Funeral information: 630-469-0032