Our Mother, Helen Fusig Hegwood, went to be with Dad on a beautiful Monday evening at 5:35 pm. She had no pain. Her breaths were lighter and lighter until she had left us for Dad and bluer skies. She was 88 years young.
She had been waiting so long to see her King B. as it had been just over 11 years since his passing.
Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Mary Fusig, her loving husband of 54 years, King B. Hegwood and brother Joseph Fusig Jr.
She is survived by her 4 V’s. Daughters: Vicci Huble & David and Vivian Lantz & Brian; Sons: Vincent Hegwood & Kim and Vernon Hegwood & Christine; Grandchildren: Kelsie Farmer & Randy, Leigha Huble & Brandon Knize, Brent Hegwood, Braden Hegwood, Emily Wingate & Bryce and Abby Hegwood; great-grandchildren, Shelby and Olivia Farmer, Cooper Huble and Joshua Wingate in addition to numerous nieces and nephews and cousins which she loved so dearly.
A native Houstonian, Helen grew up in the Heights and graduated from Incarnate Word Academy. In HS, she and her girlfriends would drive to Ellington Air Force base to dance with the new enlisted men. Helen loved dancing at Bill Mraz Ballroom, and it was at a dance in Crosby that she met her King. They would marry at All Saints Catholic Church in the Heights.
Helen was a prayerful person, giving God all the glory and praise for everything in her life. Her kindness to everyone would always shine through but it was her voice that stood out the most. She sang in 3 different choir groups and was honored to sing at the Astrodome for our Astros! For over 20 years she opened the Czech Fest at the Fort Bend County fairgrounds by singing the Czech National Anthem and the Star-Spangled Banner. There was never a dry eye in the building. The number of weddings she sang at were countless and was often requested to sing at funerals and did so sometimes with very little notice. She would say that it was some of the most difficult times to sing especially when she knew the family, but it was an honor for her. She had a gift and she was happy to share it.
Helen also found time to be active in the Houston Czech community and the SPJST. She felt strongly about preserving the history of the Czechs that came to Texas since her Mother immigrated at age 16 and only returned home to Czechoslovakia once in 1957. She volunteered in many capacities at the SPJST, holding several positions including Guide, Sales Rep and even President.
Helen started her Real Estate career in the 1970’s and continued for over 30 years selling homes in the Greater Heights. Throughout most of her adult life she also sold life insurance for the SPJST. She sprinkled her knowledge, kindness and empathy together to help connect with so many. She would eventually become a State Field Representative, recruiting and providing training for her reps in District V. She served on the Insurance Committee and as a delegate at numerous SPJST State conventions. She was active even as late as last year.
For decades, Helen and King spent Thursday nights at Bingo at lodge 88 and attended many dances on Saturdays with their friends at the SPJST chandelier ballroom. She loved family time filled with card games especially Cribbage and Skip-Bo.
After King passed, Helen took his spot playing penny poker each Tuesday morning. She knew all the card games and taught most of them to her grandchildren. Helen truly cherished her Tuesday poker buddies and the friendships they had together! Monthly, Helen caught a bus to Coushatta to go gambling. It was her only vice. Until last year, she made the monthly journey with the help of her buddy James. He was her guardian each month making sure Helen stayed safe.
Visitation will be 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. with a 7:00 p.m. Rosary Thursday, September 3rd, 2020 at Pat H. Foley Funeral Directors. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 4th, at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1833 Sage Rd. Houston, TX. Interment will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.
Extra special thanks to our Sylvia. She was a loving caregiver to Helen but became more of a daughter to our Mom and a sister to us all over the last year. Helen’s wish was to remain in the home that she had made with her King and it was Sylvia’s efforts that made this possible. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made towards the Helen Fusig & King B. Hegwood Memorial Scholarship Fund. https://spjst.org/hegwood-scholarship/
To view a livestream of the service, visit https://youtu.be/XNzr_z6QxzE
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