Helen Fouhy

Helen "Ann" Walburga Brenke Fouhy was called home by our Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 3, 2015.

Helen was born in Pine Bluff, Ark., on July 22, 1922, to Anthony and Anna (Gloggner) Brenke. Her parents owned greenhouses and a floral shop and Helen helped in the family business from an early age, along with her sisters, Ruth and Mary Ann. She remembered fondly driving the floral delivery truck all over town. Helen's love of flowers lasted her entire life. She enjoyed raising and arranging them into beautiful bouquets, a skill she generously shared with her parish family at St. Ann Catholic Church in Peerless, Mont.

Helen loved to laugh and have fun. She told stories of entertaining herself, as a young girl, for hours by playing paper dolls and cutting out magazine photos of her favorite movie stars, pasting them in scrapbooks. She developed a great love for movies, a passion she retained her entire life. Playing the violin, she and her two sisters would often have "jam" sessions, since they both played the piano. They would sing and harmonize together hymns and pop music of the day. Helen especially loved spending time with her dad, who took her to a couple of St. Louis Cardinal Baseball games. They were always her team.

In true romantic fashion, Helen met her husband Bob on a blind date that her older sister arranged. For her, it was love at first sight for this handsome young man in uniform. They were married in an Army Chapel in Independence, Kan., on Sept. 2, 1944.

After WWII ended and Bob returned to the States, he and Helen and their two young sons moved to the family farm near Peerless. She missed the many trees of her childhood home, but eventually grew to love the wide, open plains of northeastern Montana and her many neighbors and friends. Helen belonged to the original Secret Pal group that met for birthdays and parties for many years, and these ladies were always her special friends. She was also an original member of the "Peerless Pansies" softball team. One of Helen's most favorite activities, though, was sending greeting cards to everyone she knew. Many will remember her fondly as "the sunshine lady."

Helen was a devoted member of St. Ann's Altar Society and very active in her parish for many years as a lay leader of prayer and a religious education teacher. She loved her Catholic faith and had an unfailing love for Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother throughout her life.

More than anything, Helen enjoyed her vocation as a wife and mother. She and Bob had seven more children after moving to the farm, one of whom died shortly after birth. While she always missed her family and native Arkansas, her love of family and strong faith were her joy. Bob and Helen celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in September 2009. It was a happy celebration of the sacrament of their marriage and their commitment to their vows and each other.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Ruth and Theresa; her two sons, David and Robert "Bob"; son-in-law Tom Larson; one granddaughter and two great-grandsons.

She is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Stafford of Maumelle, Ark.; brother-in-law Laurence Fouhy of Scobey; daughter-in-law, Carol Fouhy of Scobey; sons Bill (Nora) Fouhy and Mike Fouhy of Billings; daughters Bitsy (Harry) Merchant and Bonnie (Dave) Halcomb of Billings, Patsy (Tim) Guenthner of Laurel, Jeannie (Steven) Miner of Richland and Judy (Brian) Held of Great Falls; 21 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and numerous wonderful nieces and nephews.

Nothing can ever take away the love a heart holds dear and the memories of a long and productive life. Gratefully, we take comfort that she's living now in joy with Jesus and Blessed Mother Mary. Helen was truly looking forward to joining Bob and her other loved ones in Heaven. Mom, now you can get all your questions answered and remain in God's love for eternity. We love you.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 9, at St. Philip Bonitus Catholic Church in Scobey, Mont., with burial in the Scobey Cemetery. The CCW will provide dinner following interment. A rosary and vigil will be held Friday, May 8, at 7 p.m.