Jeanne Helm

Jeanne Helm, age 95, of Columbus, died peacefully at home on Monday December 9, 2024. She was born December 31,1928 to the late Paul and Lillian Gilbo. A native of Columbus, Jeanne spent her formative years in Akron. She and her sisters lived in Los Angeles during her early time in high school, relocating to Columbus for her junior and senior years . Jeanne was a 1947 graduate of Sacred Heart Business High School . She met her future husband during her senior year when a friend recommended her for a position at his family's florist shop, Helm Florist, for the Easter season. They started dating after he surprised her with a corsage on Easter morning only to discover she had already been to church. She continued as a sales associate at the florist until their marriage in 1949 when she became the bookkeeper as well, working until the business closed in 1974. After that, she was employed as the bookkeeper for Hobbyland Stores until her retirement.

While dating and early in their marriage, Jeanne and her husband were active members of the Catholic Youth Organization of St. John the Evangelist Parish. They were original members of St. Philip the Apostle Parish and she was a long-time member of the Altar and Rosary Society there. After moving to Gahanna, they were members of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish.

Jeanne will be remembered for her devotion to her family and her faith, her love of chocolate and black licorice, and her stance that any time was a good time for a cup of tea. She liked to stay physically and mentally active by exercising, gardening, bowling, walking, biking, sewing, crafting, taking a variety of classes, and doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles. She loved decorating for holidays, major and minor. She was also an avid baker; in addition to the traditional Helm family Christmas cookies, she was known for her Double Chocolate Chip Cookies. Her dorm care packages for her granddaughters, complete with brownies and napkins with seasonally appropriate decorations, and plastic utensils for immediate sharing, were legendary.

Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Walter; sisters and brothers-in-law, Nancy and Robert Finneran, Terrie and Paul Wilson, Mary Anne and Harvey Hauer; brother- and sister-in law, Donald and Gail Helm; and daughter-in-law, Sharon Helm. She is survived by her children, Larry Helm, Kathleen (John Bychowski) Helm-Bychowski and Colleen Helm; grandchildren, Meaghan (Jesus Mena) Bychowski, Brenna Bychowski, Scott Patrie and Margaret Walsh (Christopher); great-grandchildren, Charlotte Mena, Christopher Patrie and family, and Jozlyn Walsh; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the staffs of Central Ohio Primary Care - Comprehensive Home and Palliative Care and Summit Home Care and Hospice, for the personalized care and support they provided to Jeanne, especially Kiersten and Erin, her occupational therapist and nurse case manager.

A visitation for Jeanne will be held Friday, December 20, 2024 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast, 1051 E Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230. A funeral mass will occur Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 9:30 AM at St. Matthew the Apostle Catholic Church, 807 Havens Corners Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230. A committal service will occur immediately following Mass at Saint Joseph Cemetery, 6440 South High Street, Lockbourne, OH 43137.