Helen L. Gadell

FUNERAL HOME

Hutchens Mortuary & Cremation Center

675 Graham Road

Florissant, Missouri

Helen Gadell Obituary

Gadell, Helen L. (nee Sondhaus) On July 26, 2013 at age 97. Preceded in death by her husband of forty-one years, Michael J. Gadell, Jr.; her beloved daughter Marilyn Gadell; and brother, Ed Sondhaus. Survived by her children Peggy (Bob) Baynard; Eileen (Tom) Quentin, Kathleen (Bob) Vollmar; Michael (Michelle) Gadell; Patrick (Marietta Abele) Gadell; her sister, Joan (Roy) Byers; and her sister-in-law, Marcella Sondhaus. Dear Gram of 13, great grandmother of 23, aunt, cousin, Godmother, friend and neighbor. Helen lived a long, healthy, and active life before being slowed by a stroke in February. She was the self-proclaimed Luckiest woman in the World, who loved her family dearly and maintained her sharp mind and remarkable memory and sense of humor until the end. Love You, See You Soon, Mom. Services: Visitation 4-8 pm Tuesday, July 30, at Hutchens Mortuary, 675 Graham Rd., Florissant. Procession 9:15 am Wed., July 31 for a 10 am Funeral Mass at St. Ann Church (Normandy), 7530 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis, 63121. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Memorials to St. Ann (Normandy) Parish or the Helen L. Gadell Scholarship in Optome try at UM St. Louis Appreciated. On line guest book at www.hutchensmortuary.com

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Published by St. Louis Post-Dispatch from Jul. 28 to Jul. 29, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Helen Gadell

3 Entries

Kathleen Buttici

July 29, 2013

Dear Irish cousins. Please accept my deepest sympathy on the passing of your wonderful Helen. My first memories of her are exactly as the last memories of her, many decades ago, and that is of a woman always smiling, always happy, always friendly and loving. My Grandfather, James Henry Slattery Checkett, was married to Mary Agnes Lynch, and after her early death, was married to Lee "Nonnie" Byington, loved your mother as a daughter because before he met her, he loved your father as if he were his fourth son and sixth child. Then, when he met your Mom and got to know her, he loved her for herself. My memories of your wonderful mother were always with your father, either at Grandpa Jim's retirement farm or at the annual Checkett family picnic. There would be your Dad playing horseshoes or Indian Ball with my Dad Harry, and the rest of the clan and not too far away would be your Mom and the rest of us watching the guys and having the best time talking and laughing and just happy to be one big family together. If we were at Grandpa's retirement farm, we would follow up these activities with the best meal anyone could have, with 90% of the food coming from Grandpa's Gentleman farming, and Nonnie's Gentlewoman's, as well. In summer, wasn't the corn just picked, the best? Or the watermelon from the round patch, cold from the fridge? And in winter, wasn't the canned or frozen veggies and fruits amazing. I loved helping Nonnie whip the cream in the silver metal bowl, that she would refrigerate first. No doubt, your Mom held that bowl more than once. When they sold the farm, and they were giving away mementoes, I asked for that bowl and still use it today. ........ The Gadells, The Gannons, The Checketts, and all the rest just as important, and family, were the best. I have so many wonderful photos of your Mom and Dad, that were my Dad's, from their teen-age years, if not earlier, and up. From fishing in the Ozarks or gigging for frogs to stopping by the service stations Grandpa owned to his retirement farm with the Adirondack chairs (long before they became popular today). So fun to see these wonderful men and women together, including my Mom Lillian. I look at those black and white or sepia-colored photos now and again, and always remember your parents with love and smiles. I shall pray for them, and wonderful beautiful Marilyn, but know they don't need my prayers as they are surely in heaven, and with my Mom and Dad and Grandpa Jim and all who loved them both so much.

Wish I could be there to personally share my condolences.
Until we meet again, God bless you always and slainte.

Kathleen (Kathy) Checkett Buttici San Diego CA