Helen Marie Donahue

Helen Marie Donahue, our mother, passed away peacefully at her Dallas home this past Friday, July 7th. She was in the company of several of her children and comforted by the love, prayers and thoughts of her children, grandchildren, family and others who could not be with her during her final days. Mom was an active member of St. Pius Catholic Church and was known for her generous spirit and the genuine love she shared not only with her family, but with all who had the fortune to have known her.

She was born Helen Marie Rechenmacher in Naperville Illinois, the ninth of twelve children in a very close-knit family. Her formative years revolved around her parents, 11 siblings, her friends and St Peter and Paul Catholic Church just a few blocks from her house. Naperville was the center of her world. However, after she met our father, Joseph C Donahue, a young veteran of World War II, that world expanded exponentially. They met at a church social. They dated; they broke up and, not unlike the movies of that time, during a church sponsored hay ride, Helen slipped off the back of the hay wagon and there was Joe to offer his hand. Their marriage was a model for love and partnership.

It was through this marriage- this life that Helen showed a gentle, yet determined strength of character. Dad rejoined the Air Force and was stationed overseas. Leaving Naperville for the first time in her life, Helen traveled alone by train to the east coast with three small children all under the age of three, then boarded several flights to rejoin Dad in England. For the next twenty years, mom was the anchor for a family that moved from airbase to airbase, often after only a one- or two-year deployment. In an ever expanding family money was tight, but mom had a wealth of imagination that enriched our childhood, always reading and including us in inventive stories, artwork, crafts and family sing-alongs. And mom had a beautiful singing voice. She grew up singing at Naperville gatherings with her sister Millie and often sang in the church choir.

Over the years Helen continued to be an inspiration to us, our spouses, our children, and our grandchildren. She was always available for advice or just to chat without ever being intrusive. “Separate families” was a favorite expression of hers. “Separate families”, yet she was always there, the anchor, the north star of our family compass. And especially in the years since she moved back to Dallas, the years after we had grown with lives that sometimes took us far from our north star, the in between times of family visits, or travels or reunions, she always found time for those in need. She quietly volunteered to help migrants learn English; she worked through Saint Vincent de Paul to help those needing shelter, food or clothing. We will never know all the good mom has done. I thought of that many times when visiting mom as I passed by her refrigerator. It had all the usual photos and drawings and letters from the family. But tucked in-between the family memories would be a thank you card or photo from someone most of us had never met. She touched so many lives and she will be missed, but it is important to remember how much more she has given us- not only memories, but a template for a life well lived.

Helen was predeceased by her husband, Joseph C. Donahue, son Joseph C. Donahue, and grandchildren Devin Donahue Goudie and Connor Brian Donahue I.

Helen is survived by her children, Timothy L. Donahue (Kathy), Daniel R. Donahue (Linda), Mary E. Donahue, Susan D. Goudie (Steve), Sean E. Donahue (Virginia), Liam P. Donahue (Laurie), Katy Donahue-Cavazos (Tommy) and daughter-in-law Shaun L. Donahue. She leaves behind 26 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Helen is also survived by her sister, Bee Bremmer, sister-in-law Esther Rechenmacher as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Those who wish to honor her memory may make a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Crane.com for the Donahue family.