Helen Mary Dorsey

Helen M. (Howe) Dorsey, 71, of Hammond passed away peacefully after a long illness on February 14, 2018, at the William J. Riley Memorial Residence in Munster, IN. She was the beloved mother of Jerri (nee Austin) (Brian) Lowry & William (Stacey) Austin, loving sister of Earle (Betty) Howe & Paula Brackelmanns, and proud “Donnie” of Mary Catherine, Joe & Jack Lowry and Lauren & Julia Austin. She leaves behind a loving extended family, countless friends, and her cherished dog Cookie. Helen was preceded in death by husband David Dorsey, parents Stanley and Betty (Potter) Howe, and siblings Jim and Kathy. Helen was a descendant of William Brewster, passenger on the Mayflower in 1620. Funeral services will be held at Kuiper Funeral Home, 9039 Kleinman Road, Highland, on Monday, February 19 at 10am, with burial to follow at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, 8178 Cline Avenue, Schererville. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 18, at Kuiper Funeral Home from 2 to 6 pm. Born September 5, 1946, in Wellsville NY, Helen was a precocious child who was described by her grandmother as being “verbose.” This love of language and unrelenting gregariousness were traits that defined her life. Her passion for words drove her to secure an English degree as an adult student—she was such a skilled and motivated student that she became the Calumet College of St. Joseph valedictorian for the Class of 1999. Her talkative vitality was recognized by the Peter Paul Cadbury Candy Co., for whom she successfully served as their first travelling saleswoman. Her enthusiasm for chatting was outdone only by the love she had for being a mother, grandmother and wife. As legend holds, Helen met David Dorsey on his birthday in 1975, sang him a song, and they fell in love. During the 1980s, they were the owners of Southtown Speedywash Laundromat in Griffith. Helen mourned David’s loss for the past five years and anticipated a life to come with him, offering her vision of heaven as a place where “we get to learn and love for all eternity.” Helen’s family is grateful for the compassionate care she received in her final days. We thank the devoted staff of Riley House, the caring staff at Symphony of Dyer and the wonderful nurses and CNAs at Community Hospital. Helen’s courage in the face of multiple cancers served as an inspiration to live each day to its fullest, to forgive grudges and to embrace the ones you love. As she noted when confronting difficulty: “God will provide. And if He doesn’t, He’s got His reasons…so relax.”