Helen Kader McClements' Obituary
Helen McClements Obituary
Helen Kader McClements was a wonderful wife and mother who was known for her delicious pies, sunny disposition, and warm heart. She loved blue skies and little trees, and never met a weed that she didn’t want to pull. She seldom complained, even up until she died at home at age 94 of pancreatic cancer June 28, 2023. Helen was born the sixth of nine children in the coal mining town of Congo, Perry County, Ohio, March 27, 1929. She enjoyed milking their cow Bossie, picking up coal chips, and almost everything else about her Depression-era childhood, except for the outhouse. Proud of her Hungarian heritage, she grew up learning to cook cabbage rolls, chicken paprikas, haluska, and other dishes at her mother’s side. Helen was close to her classmates at Corning High School, and continued to keep in touch with them through numerous reunions. After graduating in 1946, Helen moved with her family to Elyria.There she met and married Tom, her husband of 70 years, at the 2nd Congregational Church in 1950. Helen worked at the Elyria Telephone Company, and their free time was spent dancing at the Crystal Beach Ballroom, playing cards, and enjoying the company of their siblings. Soon four daughters took up most of Helen’s time with her cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, canning, and acting as chauffeur for their many activities. A devoted worker at Lake Avenue United Church of Christ (now Community of Faith UCC), she could be counted on to arrange flowers, organize dinners, and tally and deposit the weekly offerings. She was honored when they asked her to teach a pie-baking class to the next generation of bakers. Helen was a lunchroom monitor at Oakwood Elementary and later a payroll clerk at Harshaw Chemical. Her other job was volunteering. She could often be seen walking door-to-door for the March of Dimes, or taking a meal to a sick neighbor. Helen enjoyed the social events of Division B and other church groups as well as her monthly social gathering (club) with her “girlfriends.” After retirement, she kept up with her work colleagues at Saturday breakfasts. She and Tom enjoyed vacationing with family and friends, and hosted many a picnic and bacon roast in their beautiful backyard. He grew the flowers, she tended and arranged them. People were very important to her, and she kept up with friends and relatives faithfully with cards and phone calls. Later in life, Helen worked on art projects and jigsaw puzzles. She took pleasure in watching the trees bend in the wind, holding babies, reading the Chronicle Telegram, donating to non-profits, and looking out the window–keeping an eye on the neighbors and every truck that drove by.. And she could still make a flaky pie crust! We are thankful to have had her in our lives for so many years as an example of how to enjoy the little things in life. Helen is survived by daughters, Nancy McClements (Ian Gaylor), Barb Renard (Jim), Janice McClements (Larry Oros) and Carol Slater (Charles); grandchildren, Megan Ebbers (Eric), Colin and Erin Slater, Sarah Hauge (Ben) and Jonathan Renard (Mollie Fitzgerald); step-granddaughter, Kim Howell (Dan); great-grandchildren, Liam and Luca Ebbers, Murphy Renard and Henry Hauge; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas in 2021; parents, Mike and Julia (nee Lewis) Kader; sisters, Mary Enczi, Jean Wilcox, Esther Resko and Rita Gregory; brothers, John, Mike, Elmer and Frank Kader; and sister-in-law, Bea de la Pena. Friends will be received Saturday, July 1, 2023 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Dicken Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 323 Middle Avenue, Elyria. A service will be Sunday, July 2, 2023 at 4:00 pm in the funeral home with Reverend Paul Eaton officiating. Burial will be Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 11:30 am in Brookdale Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Cascade Park/Lorain County Metroparks c/o 12882 Diagonal Road, LaGrange, Ohio 44050 or Community of Faith United Church of Christ.9715 East River Road, Elyria, Ohio 44035VisitationDicken Funeral Home & Cremation ServiceSaturday, July 01, 2023 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM 323 Middle AvenueElyria, OH 44035 ServiceDicken Funeral Home & Cremation ServiceSunday, July 02, 2023 4:00 PM 323 Middle AvenueElyria, OH 44035 BurialDicken Funeral Home & Cremation ServiceWednesday, July 05, 2023 11:30 AM 323 Middle AvenueElyria, OH 44035
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