KENOSHA - Helen R. Walsh, age 84, died peacefully from age-related causes surrounded by her children and caregivers on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, at Brookside Care Center, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Helen was born July 22, 1925 in Dubuque, Iowa to the late John L. and Nellie W. (nee: Cunningham) Stafford.
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.
Helen was an active volunteer with many social service organizations and religious organizations including the Apostolate to the Handicapped, St. Victor Catholic Church, Monroe Women's Club, and the MS Society.
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. 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 Street in Racine, Wisconsin 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 Street 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
Condolences may be sent to: www.meredithfuneralhome.com
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.
Helen was an active volunteer with many social service organizations and religious organizations including the Apostolate to the Handicapped, St. Victor Catholic Church, Monroe Women's Club, and the MS Society.
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. 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 Street in Racine, Wisconsin 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 Street 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
Condolences may be sent to: www.meredithfuneralhome.com