Helen Lou Shumate was born November 19, 1928 in Springfield, Illinois. In 1939 she moved to Denver with her parents, Blossom and Lester and brother Robert (Buzz). Helen graduated from East High School and the University of Denver with a business degree. She loved acting but her mother talked her into majoring in business (something more practical). She was married to Jack R. McCoy in 1951 and had a daughter, Roxane. Upon her divorce, she became a court reporter and worked in Denver District Courts for Judge George McNamara until January 19, 1972 when she married Gerald A. Bean. They moved to Hawaii for a couple of years and then moved to Colorado Springs, CO. Helen lived in Colorado Springs until 2016 when she moved to Littleton to be near her daughter and grandchildren.
Helen was a devout Catholic and worked in the Grief Ministry in her church in Colorado Springs. She always had a positive attitude, loved to laugh, make others laugh, and always energetic. She loved to travel, made friends all over the world, and was always up for an adventure. She was an avid bridge player, loved the opera and symphony and had a great sense of style. Helen became very hard of hearing in later years but loved being with her friends and family even if she couldn’t hear everything they said. It was impossible not to love her. She was extremely giving to her family and friends. No matter what happened with her health, being quarantined and isolated from her family and friends this past year, she always retained a positive outlook, and an inner strength. She was extremely adaptable and “bloomed wherever she was planted”.
Helen left this world on February 11, 2021. It is so hard to imagine being without her, but we know she is in a perfect world now with her Heavenly Father.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Jerry on September 6, 1988. Survived by her daughter, Roxane Anema (Dale), Grandchildren Nathan (Alex), Paige Dechant (Bobby) brother, Robert (Buzz) Shumate (Elaine) nephew, Brian (Priscilla), niece, Shannon Trolinder (Brit), stepdaugher, Madelene Testa (Rich), step-grandchildren, Dominic Testa (Andrew), Correne Locker (Bill), and their new daughter Audra born 1/29/21.
The Family will have a Memorial Celebration sometime in the future.
In the memory of Helen Bean, donations can be made in Helen’s name to St. Joseph’s Indian School,1301 N. Main St, Chamberlain, SD 57325 or your charity of choice.
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