Helen Ward Obituary

Helen Mary Casey Ward died peacefully at home with her family by her side in Glen Ellyn, Illinois on September 21, 2012. The Funeral Mass for Helen was held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 25, St. Petronille Catholic Church, 420 Glenwood Avenue, Glen Ellyn. Interment, Assumption Cemetery in Wheaton. Helen was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan to James and Mary (Finn) Casey on April 28, 1921. She graduated with a BA in Chemistry from Marygrove College in Detroit. She worked as a chemist at Chrysler, receiving a patent in 1949. There she met Donald Horace Ward. They married in 1952 and moved to Glen Ellyn. Helen and Donald just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on September 6th. Helen and Donald have three children, Mary, Anne, and Owen. Mary is an epidemiologist, Anne is both a biologist and a teacher. Owen is a software engineer. Helen taught at St. Petronille Elementary School, and later as a substitute teacher and Religious Education instructor. She enjoyed golf, bowling, and was an accomplished pianist. She loved to travel, especially to Ireland, her ancestral homeland. As devout Catholics, Helen and Don traveled to Garabandal, Spain, and Medjugorje, Bosnia-Hertzegovina, both sites of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also visited the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Helen inspired her children to appreciate the beauty of nature. She never judged or made a derogatory remark. She always looked for the best in others. She was a hard-working, loyal, and selfless woman who was loved by everyone who ever came into her life. She was kind and patient. She worked tirelessly as an active volunteer at her parish, St. Petronille as well as in her community. In addition to being a devoted wife and mother to her own three children, she and Donald often shared their home with people in need. She was a wonderful, caring person who will be greatly missed. Helen is survived by her loving husband Donald, her three children, Mary and her son-in-law Jay Nuckols, Anne and her son-in-law George Bonokollie, Owen, foster daughter Ame Vaughn Pitt, seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and her brother-in-law Frank and Mary Lou Ward. She was preceded in death by her brothers Jim (Blanche) and John (Geraldine) Casey. Visitation was on Monday, September 24, 2012, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Leonard's Memorial Home, 565 Duane St. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. For information, call 630-469-0032.