Obituary of Helen L. Katzell

Helen Katzel (Miller, Shew) of Webster NY: Passed away at Maplewood Nursing Home Friday, April 7, 2017 at the age of 96. Predeceased by her husband Carl C. Katzell, stepdaughter Gloria Katzell Jenkins, great-granddaughter Megan Swartwood. Survived by son Dennis (Mary Anne) Shew; grandson Brian (Dr. Katherine Widnell) Shew, great-grandchildren Carl Shew, Elizabeth Shew; stepdaughter Janice (Dale) Katzell Caron; grandchildren Jon (Kathryn) Aycock, Christopher (Mitzi) Aycock, Sara (Steven) Hurt, Lindsay (Jay) Hodges, Julie (Alastair) Aitken, Buddy (Candy) Jenkins, Danny (Heather) Jenkins, 12 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren; and beloved friends, Betty Miller, Janet Jack, and Lavina Campbell. Helen was born April 2, 1921 in Keithsburg, IL, to Lemeul ("Mike") and Edith Culver Miller. She first married Christopher Shew and then later married Carl C. Katzell on June 30, 1957 in Taylor Ridge, IL. She loved helping to work the farms her parents managed. She also loved school and was inspired by one of her grade school teachers to become one herself. She graduated from Western University (Macomb, IL) with an associates degree in education at the age of 20 to begin a 40-year teaching career. Her first classes covered all 8 grades. She went back to school to complete her bachelor's degree in education at Augustana College (Rock Island IL) in 1966, graduating in the same year as her son, Dennis. She retired in 1981 after teaching 1st and 2nd grades for 17 years. Helen was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (Masons) for 50 years, holding all stations except Worthy Matron, which she felt she could not do while teaching full-time. She also supported her husband's activities as a member of Andalusia Masonic Lodge 516 and the Milan Lookout Mariners. Helen's hobbies included sewing and oil painting, and she was an avid reader. She and her husband, Carl, were active members of Edgington Presbyterian Church (Taylor Ridge IL), serving on committees, participating in church groups, and singing in the choir. They enjoyed traveling the world after retirement but loved being home the most. Helen came to Rochester in 2006 to be near family after her husband passed away. She entered Maplewood Nursing Home in 2008 and continued her interests there, participating in the book club and the only nursing home chorus in the area comprised solely of residents. Her family is very grateful to Maplewood Nursing Home staff and volunteers in Webster NY for their expertise and their loving care of Helen. Family and friends are invited to call Sunday 2-5PM at the Jennings Nulton & Mattle Funeral Home, 1704 Penfield Road, Penfield NY 14526 where there will be a celebration of Helen's life. Interment will be in Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children.