DR. Helen Murrelle Chilton Kiefer

Dr. Helen Murrelle Chilton Kiefer, 86, of Oak Park, IL, passed away from Parkinson's on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
Helen was born July 13, 1939 in the District of Columbia. She was preceded in death by her parents Lt. Colonel Frank Chilton and Sue Stanford Chilton of Augusta, GA.
Also gone and waiting to greet her at the gates of Heaven are her brother, Dr. Frank Chilton, Jr. and her son Steven Kiefer.
Helen leaves behind two sisters, Alice McGloin Chilton, Columbia, SC, and Joan Chilton Richards, Bloomingdale, IL, as well as, daughter-in-law Lesa Struck Kiefer, Grandsons Scott and Todd Kiefer, of Oak Park, and her cat Layla.
Helen was a very accomplished woman completing undergrad work at Cornell as a Phi Beta Kappa and obtaining a PhD in Molecular Biology from the University of Chicago and an MD from Northwestern Medical College. She earned scholarly accolades like being hired by Northwestern to teach biochemistry. She was appointed to the Presidential Advisory Committee on Health Care. She also served on Physicians for Responsible Healthcare Reform, an advisory committee to Congress, that focused on the impact of increasing healthcare costs on those that are underinsured.
Helen's father was stationed in Germany and she spent time attending German schools. She became fluent in German and learned to play the accordion.
She had a love of adventure and it made her a world traveler. She travelled with her family to Europe, Russia, and Africa. She also travelled with work and on her own to China, Israel, and other locations. She had a love of food and health that drove her to publish a cookbook called "The Doctor Cooks". She also has a manuscript entitled "Creation's Mind, Survival's Brain" combining her neurology and molecular biology training. She also spent time with her son developing independent films, music, and studies.
A Celebration of life ceremony will be held on September 8, 2025.
If you would like further information about attendance, please contact Joan at 847-274-9014.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the:
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Grand Central Station
PO Box 4777
New York, NY 10163-4777
donations@michaeljfox.org
For information, please call 847-891-2900 or visit www.michaelsfh.com.