Helen Rose Lucas

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Helen R. Lucas, age 89, into the arms of God on October 17, 2024. Helen Rose Highnote was born on May 29, 1935. She grew up in Elmhurst, Queens, New York before moving to Flushing, Queens where she raised her three daughters with her husband Tom.

Helen had a gift with children. They were drawn to her, and she connected with them in meaningful ways. She followed this gift with a sense of purpose and determination and her desire was to have her own Montessori school: a dream which she brought to fruition by attending Queens College to attain a Master's Degree all while having three young children at home and working as well. Flushing Montessori School served children in the neighborhood for 20 years. There were many times, years later, when grown adults, former students, would hug "Mrs. Lucas" in the neighborhood as if they attended her school just last week.

Helen was incredibly creative and brought her talents into everything she did. Whether it was a child's birthday party, every holiday, relatives' gifts, friends' life events, summer activities, church events, she was either doing ceramics, sewing, drawing, crocheting, crafts, painting, and so much more as she brought her love and talent to every piece of work. Her generosity was also in creating space for others to tap into their own talents by teaching many workshops too.

Summer months for Helen and her family were spent at Eagle Lake in Ontario, Canada. Helen was introduced to Eagle Lake by her husband Tom who would vacation there as a young boy. Helen and Tom honeymooned at Eagle Lake and created lasting friendships at the lake and area. Helen was one of the founding members of the Eagle Lake Property Owner's Association and served on the board.

Helen joined Church on the Hill in the early 1960's. She loved her church family very much and deeply felt the value of worship and lifelong friendships it provided. She served on countless committees, Women's Guild for Christian Service (Women's Christian Circle), Church School Association, and Consistory service as well. Helen brought her educational gift to The Church on the Hill Nursery School, which flourished for years having her, as a Consistory member, be part of their Board. Her artistic talents were shared with the church family at annual holiday bazaars with her creative ability in crafts, painting, and sewing. Many members of church share their stories of how each holiday, they are reminded of Helen when they take out her handmade craft in their home.

Helen Lucas was a loving, generous, and caring mother and friend. She leaves behind three daughters, Linda (Tony Cordaro), Nancy (Jim Musgrave), and Susan (Jack Boyle); six grandchildren, Nina (Steven Hinson), Katherine, Michael, Allison, Emily and Jack; and a great grandson, Gavin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews all of which she loved with a big heart.

She died peacefully in her sleep on October 17, 2024.

A memorial service will be scheduled for a future date. If you would like to make a donation in her memory, please send it to The Church on the Hill using https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithely/give-one-time/1309263, and designate the "Community Nursery School: Helping Hands".