1922
Helen
2014
Helen Gay
July 14, 1922 — January 2, 2014
Helen Nadine (Johnson) Gay, 91, departed to be with Christ, passing away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Olathe. The family would like to thank the staff at Good Samaritan for their care and compassion over the last two years.
Helen was born in Pawnee County, KS, on July 14, 1922, the only child of Charles and Hazel Johnson. She graduated from Macksville (KS) High School in 1941 and then attended Lindenwood College in St. Charles, MO, where she met her future husband, Army Air Force Staff Sergeant Sam Gay, at a USO dance. While corresponding with Sam, she moved to Wichita to work at Cessna Aircraft to help in the war effort of WWII.
Sam and Helen married on November 20, 1945, and lived first in Georgia, then in Pawnee County, KS, and finally in Mission, KS, to be near medical treatment for a sick child. Helen cared for their severely- disabled son Steve for 7 years before he passed away. She provided a loving home for Sam and their other 3 children with much patience and humility, always giving of herself and putting others' needs before her own. Her faith in Christ was demonstrated each day.
Helen cared for her elderly mother for 8 years and later took care of her husband Sam in his declining years. She was the ultimate caregiver, though not a nurse. She also enjoyed babysitting for her grandchildren, and always took an interest in their lives. When she had the opportunity, Helen enjoyed traveling, taking trips to Colorado, California, Europe, and the Caribbean with family or friends.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son, Steven Charles Gay. She is survived by her three children, Jane Dolbeare (husband Chuck), Raytown, MO, Tim Gay (wife Jane), Bella Vista, AR, and Debbie Morris (husband Gene), Olathe, KS, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30pm Sunday, January 5, at Park Woods Presbyterian Church at 13001 Quivira, Overland Park. Visitation will be at 1:30pm at the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be given to Good Samaritan Society, 20705 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 66062.
Helen was born in Pawnee County, KS, on July 14, 1922, the only child of Charles and Hazel Johnson. She graduated from Macksville (KS) High School in 1941 and then attended Lindenwood College in St. Charles, MO, where she met her future husband, Army Air Force Staff Sergeant Sam Gay, at a USO dance. While corresponding with Sam, she moved to Wichita to work at Cessna Aircraft to help in the war effort of WWII.
Sam and Helen married on November 20, 1945, and lived first in Georgia, then in Pawnee County, KS, and finally in Mission, KS, to be near medical treatment for a sick child. Helen cared for their severely- disabled son Steve for 7 years before he passed away. She provided a loving home for Sam and their other 3 children with much patience and humility, always giving of herself and putting others' needs before her own. Her faith in Christ was demonstrated each day.
Helen cared for her elderly mother for 8 years and later took care of her husband Sam in his declining years. She was the ultimate caregiver, though not a nurse. She also enjoyed babysitting for her grandchildren, and always took an interest in their lives. When she had the opportunity, Helen enjoyed traveling, taking trips to Colorado, California, Europe, and the Caribbean with family or friends.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son, Steven Charles Gay. She is survived by her three children, Jane Dolbeare (husband Chuck), Raytown, MO, Tim Gay (wife Jane), Bella Vista, AR, and Debbie Morris (husband Gene), Olathe, KS, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30pm Sunday, January 5, at Park Woods Presbyterian Church at 13001 Quivira, Overland Park. Visitation will be at 1:30pm at the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be given to Good Samaritan Society, 20705 W. 151st St., Olathe, KS 66062.
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