Helenjane Measley

Helenjane (DeGothseir) Measley, 95, of Fort Wayne, IN, passed away peacefully on October 8, 2025, in Fort Wayne, surrounded by her family and devoted caregivers. She was born in Philadelphia to Oscar and Helen Degothseir, the youngest of two. She spent her early childhood in West Philadelphia with summers on Long Beach Island, later moving to Palmyra, New Jersey, where she attended and graduated from Palmyra High School in 1947 with Honors. She worked for Bell Telephone Company for a short time after graduating. Soon she met her future husband Robert "Bob" Measley, at a popular social and dance club. Bob was working for the Dupont Company, after serving in the Navy. In 1953 they were married in Dearborn, Michigan, where he was by then working as a salesman for Dupont. Their first child Robert Jr. was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and two more followed, daughter Jana and son Jeff. All her life, Helenjane had always loved sewing and dreamed of having her own sewing and fabric store someday. That opportunity arose, and in 1977 she and Bob started their first Stretch and Sew Store in Danvers, Massachusetts. It was very successful and provided for many business trips around the world to Europe, Africa and Asia. After 22 years they retired, moving back to South Jersey near her beloved Long Beach Island and the family beach house. Many wonderful years of retirement and volunteering at the local hospital and their church followed. In 2017, they left for Heritage Pointe Assisted Living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where they spent their final years, with their son Jeff and daughter Jana and family nearby. Helenjane was a dedicated mother of 3 devoted children and 2 grandchildren, a great cook and baker, a professional seamstress, a successful small business owner, a woman of faith, a loving wife to Bob, and a beloved friend to many. She always had a smile on her face and a quick wit. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband Bob, her brother Bob Degothseir, her mother Helen and father Oscar DeGothseir. She is survived by her son Robert, daughter-in-law Eileen and grandson Ian of Wilmington, DE, daughter Jana and daughter-in-law Julie of Fort Wayne, son Jeff, daughter-in-law Heidi and grandson Kyle of Fort Wayne. A private memorial gathering will be held at a later date. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.fairhavenfortwayne.com