Helen Moomey

Throughout her rich and rewarding life, Helen Moomey brought such joy to others. She was accompanied by an unwavering faith that put the song in her heart each and every day. With her true love by her side throughout most of her life’s journey, Helen witnessed her family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who were her greatest source of pride and joy. She was the matriarch of her family who was always available for whatever her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren needed. With a life that spanned times of great change in the world around her, Helen created a brilliant mosaic of memories that will be forever cherished by her loved ones.

The year 1918 was filled with both trials and triumphs. We celebrated the end of WWI, which left us recognized as a world leader for the first time, yet it was also the year that the flu pandemic peaked at 202 deaths each day. Although the early 1900s were disheartening for many Americans, we were poised for greatness by the dawn of 1920, and the days that followed were some of the best days our nation had ever seen. It was also in 1918 that a young couple from Holland, Michigan, was overjoyed to announce the birth of their baby girl on October 6th. Helen was one of eight children born to her parents, Herman and Gertie (Aalderink) Jager, and she was born and raised in the family home south of Graafschap on 142nd and Beeline in Laketown Township.

Joined in her family by her older siblings, Johanna and Dorothy, and her younger siblings, Jeanette, Gladys, Harriet, Gerald, and Ethel, Helen experienced a fairly typical childhood. Her father supported his family by working on his own farm and also working for other local farmers while her mother focused her attention on her home and family. Helen attended Meadowbrook, which was a one-room schoolhouse, from kindergarten through the eighth grade. She also helped on the family farm, often separating milk from cream and also churning butter.

From the moment she met George C. Moomey, Helen’s life was forever changed. They had been set up on a date that fateful evening, and George saw to it that Helen never dated anyone else from that moment forward. With a desire to establish a life together they were married on March 24, 1939. Together they welcomed four children into their hearts and home, Carl, Monty, Carol, and Gary. In addition to caring for her family, Helen worked at Holland Cotton, GE Electric, and Lifesavers.

Along her entire life’s pathway, Helen’s greatest joy was found in her family. She would do whatever she could to help her family. Several grandchildren lived with her at times. It was also Helen who was there to care for her son, Carl, when an accident left him paralyzed. As often as she could she spent time with her grandchildren who lived locally, Steve and Trina Moomey, and their children, Jason, Boston, Zachary, Brooklyn, and Lillian. Helen played an instrumental role in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Every one of them always received both a birthday card and a Christmas card with a monetary gift inside each year.

Although nothing compared to caring for her family, Helen’s life was enriched in other ways, too. Her faith was a cornerstone throughout her entire life, and her church home, First United Methodist Church, was important to her as well. She enjoyed bowling, golfing, and going on bus tours with her sisters. Helen spent every weekend in Ludington for several years, and for the past 11 years or so she loved attending breakfast at the Northside Russ’ with her cousins. At one time her brother, Jerry, told her about a trip to Florida. Helen and George saved for months to go on that trip by putting a dime into a pot every time the women got a strike or the men got two strikes while bowling.

Even as she grew older Helen was always busy with something. She and her sister, Harriet, were known as the “Butterfly Sisters” at Bob Evans because they always wore butterfly pins. Helen was an avid reader who swapped books with her sisters and friends, and she also enjoyed watching game shows on television like The Price Is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy in addition to The Lawrence Welk Show at one time.

Helen was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved George in 1998, but she continued to fill her days with the people and things she loved. Helen often headed out for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, and she rarely dined alone. As she needed to slow down more, her local grandchildren and great-grandchildren served as her primary caregivers who were by her side nearly every moment. Although she became ill this past December, Helen was adamant that she get better so that she could go to her great-granddaughter’s ballet performance.

Described as the sweetest person you ever wanted to know, Helen Moomey was a blessing in the lives of so many within her reach. Her faith was her constant companion, and it was because of her assurance that this life was only the beginning of her journey that Helen was unafraid as the end drew near. It was easy to see that she loved her life and her family deeply, and it was in this spirit that she fully embraced each moment as a gift to spend with her loved ones. Helen will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Helen Moomey died on May 24, 2013. Helen’s family includes her daughter, Carol Pudget of Crescent City, CA; brother, Gerald Jager (Diane VanderMolen) of Saugatuck, MI; sister, Harriet Faber of Florida; brother-in-law, Clyde Poll; grandchildren, Steve (Trina) Moomey, Jennifer (Bryan) Koneski, Craig (Tracy) Skinner, Tim (Christine) Skinner, Joe (Diane) Skinner, Mark Skinner, Jerry (Stephanie) Moomey, and Karen Jones; great-grandchildren, Jason, Boston, Zachary, Brooklyn, Lillian, Bailey, Peyton, Steven, Stephanie, Sarah, Jessica, Robert, Rebecca, Nakita, Stormy, Brandy, Hailey; and great-great grandchildren, Gage, Travis, and Talan; and many nieces and nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, George C. Moomey; sons, Carl, Monty, and Gary Moomey; sisters, Johanna Postma, Dorothy Hopp, Jeanette Boersen, Gladys Santora, and Ethel Poll; and great-granddaughter, Brittany Moomey.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at First United Methodist Church, 57 West 10th Street in Holland. The family welcomes visitors starting at 10 a.m. A luncheon will follow immediately after the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Hospice House of Holland.

Please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com where you can leave a memory or sign an online guestbook.