Helena Mary Word

Helena was born on September 30, 1918, in Houma, Louisiana. She married Robert E. Word on June 30, 1938. Because of her husband’s career, their family moved frequently throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, finally retiring in Austin, Texas, in 1977. She devoted her life to her family and raising their five children. She loved to entertain, and was a gracious hostess known for her Cajun cuisine and candy making. A faithful Catholic, she was a founding member of St. Catherine of Siena and active in several ministries.

Her family takes comfort in her reunion with her beloved Bob, her daughter Helena, and her grandson Rob. She was the eldest and last of five siblings. She is survived by her daughters Kathleen Shaw and husband Wallace; Charlene Levy and husband Larry; Patricia Brown and husband Verl; and son Freeman Word. She was blessed with nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at 4:00 p.m., with a Wake Service following at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, November 13, 2011 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, November 14, 2011 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 4800 Convict Hill Road with Monsignor Oliver Johnson, Celebrant. Committal services will follow at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Memorial Park with Deacon Wallace Shaw officiating.

The family requests that donations be made to Odyssey VistaCare Hospice Foundation, 717 N. Harwood, Suite 1500, Dallas, Texas, 75201.