Monday, March 23, 2015
To those who knew and loved Helen My name is Ann (Dye) Schreckenberger. Helen was my father's, Maurice E. Dye (1912-1996) cousin. Helen's mother, Jesse, and my father's mother, Florence, were sisters. In addition to the second cousins listed in the obituray, I am Helen's second cousin as is my sister, Cindy (Dye) Redmond who lives in Marble Hill, GA. and my brother, Nelson, who is deceased. I last saw Helen five years ago when I was in western New York. I stayed with Helen for a few days and we had a wonderful visit. One day she drove me through Amish Country, a Sunday ride my father often used to take us on when we were children. Helen and I had a delightful day. We stopped at a small Amish house selling handmade articles. I bought a lovely quilted chair pillow that sits on a chair in my home. I always think of Helen when I see that pillow. On that visit she took me to see the house my father grew up in and we also visited the cemetary where Aunt Jesse, Clarence and Gordon are buried. Now Helen will also be laid to rest there. I have such fond childhood memories of the house on Lake Street in Angola. I remember a double-seated wooden white swing we used to sit on in the backyard. I also remembering runnng around that large backyard in the early evenings trying to catch fireflys in empty mayonnaise jars. I remember a bookcase that held Helen's immense collection of salt and pepper shakers and the lovely Tiffany lamp that sat on a table in the front porch room of the house. That is where Helen and I sat on my visit as she shared stories and memories of my father. Helen had such a verve for life. She seemed to have an activity planned for everyday. Some days it was playing cards and other days delivering meals-on-wheels. She was sturdy, independent and self-sufficient. Needing the help of others at the end of her life must have been difficult. Thank you to all who helped her. Helen was a grand dame and I am sure she will missed by many good friends. She sent me a Christmas card every year and her beautiful handwriting never wavered. I will miss receiving her card this year, knowing she has now passed over to join all those on the other side who were waiting for her. I like to imagine the joy of that reunion. Blessings to all who will gather for her funeral and remember a life well lived. Ann Schreckenberger 914 Clinton Place River Forest, IL 60305 annschreck@yahoo.com
