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IN LOVING MEMORY OF Helen H. Woodburn
Helen H.
Woodburn
April 9, 1923 – April 20, 2014
Helen H. Woodburn's Obituary
Helen Louise Hutchinson Woodburn, age 91, of Wheaton, IL, died Sunday, April 20, 2014, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. She was born on April 9, 1923, in Ridgway, PA, the second daughter of John William and Ada Arminta (Eshbaugh) Hutchinson.
As a child, she loved being outdoors, playing in the mountains behind her home, and as a teen displayed a gift for singing -- winning the Pennsylvania state's top prize for music as soprano vocalist. On the basis of her talent, she received a full scholarship to Oberlin Musical College, but feeling that musical studies would place too great a hardship on her family, opted to attend Bryant & Stratton Business College in Buffalo, NY. She went on to help support her family as an executive administrative assistant and in labor relations at Bell Helicopter. Later, she worked as an executive administrative assistant at Great Lakes Carbon, where she met her future husband, the late James Woodburn. They were married September 15, 1951, and enjoyed 56 years of marriage.
Helen shared her gift for music with others nearly all her life. She inspired and delighted members of the congregation for more than 40 years as a member and regular soprano soloist in the Chancel Choir of Gary Memorial United Methodist Church, and as a soloist in other local churches. She also performed regularly as a member of the Wheaton Music Club. She was also an avid gardener and took great pride and pleasure in her flower gardens.
She is survived by her four loving children: daughter Anne Breitenbach and son-in-law Steve Breitenbach, sons James Woodburn and John Woodburn, and daughter Judith Woodburn and son-in-law Kent Harris; four grandchildren, Jamie (Bill) Kreher, Tara Woodburn, Sean Woodburn and Joseph Harris; and four great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Audrey, Will and Myles, as well as her niece Carole Maranto.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James; and her sister, Jeanne Gottardi.
A visitation will be held on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 4 - 8 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St, in Wheaton. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Gary Church at the address above.
As a child, she loved being outdoors, playing in the mountains behind her home, and as a teen displayed a gift for singing -- winning the Pennsylvania state's top prize for music as soprano vocalist. On the basis of her talent, she received a full scholarship to Oberlin Musical College, but feeling that musical studies would place too great a hardship on her family, opted to attend Bryant & Stratton Business College in Buffalo, NY. She went on to help support her family as an executive administrative assistant and in labor relations at Bell Helicopter. Later, she worked as an executive administrative assistant at Great Lakes Carbon, where she met her future husband, the late James Woodburn. They were married September 15, 1951, and enjoyed 56 years of marriage.
Helen shared her gift for music with others nearly all her life. She inspired and delighted members of the congregation for more than 40 years as a member and regular soprano soloist in the Chancel Choir of Gary Memorial United Methodist Church, and as a soloist in other local churches. She also performed regularly as a member of the Wheaton Music Club. She was also an avid gardener and took great pride and pleasure in her flower gardens.
She is survived by her four loving children: daughter Anne Breitenbach and son-in-law Steve Breitenbach, sons James Woodburn and John Woodburn, and daughter Judith Woodburn and son-in-law Kent Harris; four grandchildren, Jamie (Bill) Kreher, Tara Woodburn, Sean Woodburn and Joseph Harris; and four great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Audrey, Will and Myles, as well as her niece Carole Maranto.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James; and her sister, Jeanne Gottardi.
A visitation will be held on Friday, April 25, 2014 from 4 - 8 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St, in Wheaton. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at Gary United Methodist Church, 224 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be directed to Gary Church at the address above.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen H. Woodburn, please visit our flower store.
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