Norma J. Hellen

Norma Hellen (nee McQuown) of Cincinnati passed away quietly on Thursday, December 16, 2010. Beloved wife of the late Richard (Dick) Hellen, devoted mother of Mary Sue (Paul) Verhagen and Cynthia Jean Lewis, dear grandmother of Randy, Stephen (Maria), Garrett, Tyler, Joel, Luke and Katy. Dear sister of Bob (Jeanine) McQuown, Sue (Russ) Pollitt and the late Dick McQuown. Sister-in-law of Teedy McQuown. Many nieces and nephews. Norma grew up in Danville, Illinois during the Depression, attended Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana to fulfill her dream of teaching music, and began her teaching career in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she met and married her husband Dick. She later taught vocal, instrumental, and general music in Greenhills and Forest Park schools for about 15 years, developing a remarkable folk-music-based elementary music program based on the methods of the Hungarian composer and educator Zoltan Kodaly. After caring for her husband in his final illness, she sold real estate, traveled, and studied the Bible and taught music at Christ for the Nations Institute in Texas, returning to Cincinnati in 1993 to a full time career as Grandmother. Her delights were in Jesus Christ, her family and friends, playing the piano, praying for the peace of Jerusalem and Israel, and successfully fighting cancer for 31 years with good nutrition. Friends may call at the Faith Bible Church, 8130 E. Kemper Sycamore Twp., Monday 1PM until time of memorial service 2PM. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Faith Bible Church, Bible Chapel of Delhi Hills, or the Christian ministry of your choice.