HELEN C. HOLLERS

FUNERAL HOME

Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, Inc. - Silver Spring

500 University Blvd. West

Silver Spring, Maryland

HELEN HOLLERS Obituary

HELEN COLLE DONALDSON HOLLERS
On September 18, 2013 of St. Petersburg, FL and Washington, DC. Beloved wife of the late Ralph Harvey Hollers. In earlier years lovingly wed to Berthold N. Colle, Jr. (died 1967) and Col Harold B. Donaldson, USA, Ret. (died 1971). Step-mother of Sarah Donaldson Weeks of Alamo, GA and Dr. Karyne Messina of Washington, DC; step-grandmother of Judith Belflower and Cash Weeks of Alamo, GA, Karyne Constance Messina of Washington, DC and Ann Kathryn Messina of Alexandria, VA; aunt of Patricia Quiter of Indio, CA, Helen Groom of Pasadena, CA, Ruth Foss of Lake Havasu, AZ, Harriet Husemann of Salem, OR, Athalyn Husemann of Palm Springs, CA and Mary Husemann of Bozeman, MT; sister of the late Michael A. Husemann, Edward J. Husemann, Evelyn Quiter and Antonette Cox. Mass of Christian Burial at Church of the Annunciation, 3125 39th St., NW, Washington, DC 20016 on Friday, November 8 at 11 a.m. Arlington National Cemetery inurnment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Church of the Annunciation at the above address. www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com

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Published by The Washington Post on Sep. 29, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for HELEN HOLLERS

8 Entries

October 10, 2013

I benefitted frim my brother's friendship with Helen.. She wouldvisit us in Massachusetts . Thank you, Helen, for showing me the beauty of Cobb Island where you & Bob displayed his beautiful dahlias.. Ruthie Rados Horgan, Cheryl's mother.

We will miss you Aunt Helen! Photo taken 8/2004

Kim Groom

October 9, 2013

Helen Groom

September 30, 2013

Goodbye, my dear Aunt Helen, my wonderful Godmother. You were a big influence on my life and I will miss you so much.

Pat Quiter-Pautu

September 29, 2013

My dear Helen, aunt and friend, I will miss you so!

Aunt Helen Colle - her first husband, Bert, was her perfect match, a Swell Fellow whose sense of humor touched everyone. Helen was a superior caregiver and so be it, for he was handsome with a funny wit. Multiple Sclerosis took him down but he never gave up.

Col. Donaldson, a handsome rogue who stole her heart, made her laugh, and introduced her to years of fun, love and alot of tandem bike riding.

Ralph, up for anything, was the Charmer. He'd come home with "Hello, Honey.com." Kept her in stitches, loved her, treated her as if each day was the best of their lives.

Evelyn, my mother and Helen's sister, commanded I live close to Helen when I joined the Foreign Service in 1961. We were close both in proximity as well as she saw the my need for some "mothering." She scrutinized my boyfriends, held me accountable, always interested in my life.

Later in 1999 in Omaha when her sister Antonette's life was coming to a close, we shared many hours together. Optimistic always, Helen lent her support to all of us - and to her sister.

I just can't imagine life without her; I just can't imagine.

September 29, 2013

My Aunt Helen was so very special. She had a gift for reaching beyond normal boundaries to kinship, respect and love for just about everyone she ever met. Came back to her 100-fold. I loved her so. PQP

Phyllis O'Brien

September 29, 2013

I didn't know Helen well, but met her several times when she visited Nebraska and my dear friend, her niece, Pat. I remember Helen as a stylish, sophisticated and oh so very gracious lady who was a wonderful conversationalist. She treated Pat and I to lunch at a favorite local restaurant in Omaha, Gorats, the last time I saw her. I always envied the Quiter girls for having such a fascinating aunt in their lives. It is indeed a shame that time takes from us the ones we love. You have my sympathy.

Ralph and Helen Hollers at the home of a friend. Submitted by Dr. Karyne E. Messina, step-daughter of Helen Hollers

September 29, 2013

Helen was a wonderful woman who brightened the lives so many people, particularly my father. Together, they were the embodiment of happiness; she always laughed at his many jokes and he thought she was a princess. At their wedding, which was at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Annapolis, Maryland, the family members who gathered to share in their wonderful and magical moment, cried many tears of joy. If ever one could "see" an emotion, it was on that lovely afternoon; the love they shared for each other was palpable. Their reception at the Army and Navy Club on Farragut Square was filled with so many people who knew and loved them both.

Helen also had many, many friends in the Washington Metropolitan area who attended scores of her wonderful dinner parties throughout the years; many of whom she knew from her days at the White House where she worked in the scheduling office. It was there that she spent her days for over forty years since President Truman was in office. She had many stories of her time there. One I remember vividly was her story about John Kennedy and his love for his children who from time to time scampered down to her office.

During the early days of their courtship, Helen and my father, Ralph, who she loved so much took my daughter Kiki and me for a special White House Tour. It was at Christmas time and the decorations were beautiful; it was as if we were in an enchanted land of elves and sugar plum fairies. Throughout the years Helen brightened up many family holidays with her keen mind; always having a wonderful White House memory to share. She also danced the night away at my daughter, Ann-Kathryn's and her husband, Ed So's wedding; Ralph and Helen danced the night away and added so much to the celebration. In addition to the family members mentioned in the obituary, she left behind three, step great-grand children who adored her.

Helen served her country well, was a devoted member of her church, was a wonderful friend to so many and was a loving step mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be greatly missed by so many people whose lives were greatly enhanced by her presence.

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