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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Wapella.com Mourns The Passing of Helen Toohill


Helen Toohill has died this morning.

Visitation is on Friday at Calvert's Funeral Home in Clinton, Illinois. The Rosary at 4pm. The Funeral at St. Patrick's Parish, in Wapella, Illinois on Saturday at 10am.

**

Helen A. Toohill, 89, St. Charles, Mo., formerly of Heyworth, died at 5:55 a.m. Tuesday (Aug. 31, 2010) at Mount Carmel Senior Living Center, St. Charles, Mo.
A funeral Mass of Christian burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick’s Church, Wapella, with the Rev. Peter Pilon officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Wapella. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton, with the rosary recited at 4 p.m.

Memorials may be made to the Altar Society of St. Patrick’s Church, Wapella.

She was born Sept. 17, 1920, at Greenville, Mo., daughter of Ira and Myrtle Daffron Rhodes. She married Clement M. Toohill on July 4, 1942, at St. Francis Xavier College Church, St. Louis University, St. Louis, Mo. He passed away July 20, 2002.

Surviving are her children, Ann (Robert) Dixon, WHS '62, Homecoming Queen. Plano, Texas; Jean Thorp, WHS '62, St. Charles, Mo.; Daniel (Rose Ann) Toohill, WHS '66, Heyworth; Clement (Marjorie) Toohill, WHS '70, Davenport, Iowa; Teresa (Richard) Carroll, WHS '72, Bloomington; (FFA Sweetheart) Connie (Herb) Buttrick, WHS '73, Green Bay, Wis.; Edward (Kim) Toohill, Normal, WHS '76; Thomas Toohill, WHS '77, Mount Pulaski; Matthew (Catherine) Toohill, WHS '79, Not the Homecoming King as his handsomeness and regal nature were uncontestable, Fairbury; and Kate (Tim) Watson, WHS '81 and Dennis (Marti) Toohill, WHS '82, Homecoming King, both of Bloomington; sister, Mary Bennett, Greenville, Mo.; son-in-law, Rob Fanning, Wilmette; daughter-in-law: Kathie Toohill, Granite City; 30 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Mary Helen Fanning, WHS '68; son, William Hugh Toohill, WHS '75; son-in-law, Carl Dean Thorp, WHS '62; and two sisters, Verna and Virginia.

She was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Wapella, and the Altar Society.

She graduated from Greenville High School in 1936 and Brown’s Business College. She received an honorary degree from the University of Illinois, Department of Home Economics Extension. During World War II she proudly went to various cities that her husband was deployed to during his tour with the U.S. Army Central Intelligence Corps. After the war, they then settled on the family farm in Wilson Township, DeWitt County.

She was a member of Joyful Hearts in Wapella; DeWitt County Farm Bureau; and DeWitt County Homemaker’s Extension. She also dutifully served as an election judge.

She treated all her children as individuals. Making them each feel like they were the most important person in her life. If they felt joy, she felt joy. If they grieved, she grieved. She was more than a grandmother, she was our inspiration. She was more than a mother, she was our friend. She was more than a wife, she was our anchor. She was a beautiful gift from God.

Helen Toohill was one of the matriarchs of Wapella. She possessed a monumental amount of patience and infinite amount of kindness. A generous and caring person, Helen brought a peaceful wisdom to every conversation and had a profound and pleasant effect on the Village of Wapella, St. Patrick's Parish, Wapella School District, Wilson Township, and Irish Row as well as her family and relatives.

Our condolences to the Toohill family.

image a tapestry of the Holy Rosary.





12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Eternal rest granted to her and may perpetual light shine upon her face.

A great woman, a true saint.

Best to all Toohills,

Tim Ryan

Carl Thorp said...

John thanks for leaving the rosary on a previous comment. I put it on there because the other websites writing was so small. The last loud voice she heard was me reading it to her. She was holding Hughie's rosary beads.

Her last words were, "I love you."

She was peaceful all night.

She died at 5:55 AM. I was holding her hand.

CT

Anonymous said...

Dear Toohill Family,

We are all saddened by the loss of Helen, but you are all so fortunate to have Helen as a mother. Many many others, more than you will ever know, were blessed to know her and her constant kindness, smile and forgiving nature.
I don't think I ever saw Helen without a smile or a kind word or a word of encouragement.
It would benefit all of us to live a bit more like Helen, and the world would be a better place.

Kind regards,
Todd Ryan

Anonymous said...

Thanks Todd.

CT

My mom wants to read The Prisoners Dilemma but we can't find it. This is only because you recommended it years ago.

Directional Man

Anonymous said...

She was always kind to me and my family - a really wonderful person who clearly loved her family. My condolences.

Allan Weinheimer

Anonymous said...

Dear Toohills,

Helen Toohill was a wonderful and kind woman who we were blessed to have around us while growing up in Wapella. I can't remember anything but happiness and good will from her.

My condolences,

Joe Powers

JBP said...

editor note: I guessed on Graduation Dates pre-Huey. I will gladly get them to right if you have the proper date. Could do sort of a lottery contest thing, prize being a trip to the Old Gunsmoke Set on display in the Wisonsin Dells, where you can get a chance to dress up like Festus or Newly.

Anonymous said...

Amazing person.

I always looked forward to talking to Helen - so easy to have a real conversation wiht her. Fortunate to grow up with Helen (and her super tribe) and, better yet, to get to know her as an adult. Eating lunch in her basement as Danny's #1 beanwalker (yes beanwalking trash talk) with visits from Helen were awesome. Nothing but a warm welcome and smile from Helen when we really deserved an "oh you again" after another visit to her house to hang out with the kids. St. Pat's will be electric Saturday as it should. Peace be with you Helen!

Matthew #3 Powers (that's after MT and MD)

Anonymous said...

Thank you fine gents for your kind thoughts, words and prayers.

She was joyful all the way to the finish line..remarkable.

Happy Bday JB.

Dennis T

Anonymous said...

Hard to top comments already posted. One of the most kind/mellow ladies ever. Never heard her raise her voice for any reason. Could easily have her own food channel show for gravy only. All my best to my cousins with whom I grew up with from across the section. RJT

Anonymous said...

Condolences to Dennis and the rest of the Toohill clan.

Nick Buraglio said...

Condolences. I tip my hat for a great lady.

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