Rose Marie Helmick

--Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking

My wonderful mother passed away as she lived—peacefully, gracefully, and elegantly. She brightened the world for 94 years. Thankfully she went home to the Lord very quietly in her sleep in her own home exactly the way that she would have wanted.

Mom was a devote Christian, trusting the Lord to guide her every step. My mom lived her Christianity and it was evident to all who knew her. They knew her gracious spirit, her kindness, her joy and her generosity. She was always a happy and smiling handling the bumps of life with tremendous grace. In the latter years of her life, she struggled with Scoliosis but even the pain of Scoliosis didn’t dampen her inner strength and spirit.

Mom was born in West Virginia, a coal miner’s daughter. Her parents were immigrants from England who came through Ellis Island. She fell in love and married her sweetheart, BJ (Van) Helmick in West Virginia on May 4, 1952 and they had their first daughter, LouAnn, in West Virginia. The family moved to Florida to get out of the snow and they had their daughter, Patti, in Florida. Van prospered in business and was transferred to California in 1958. Van later on went on to own his own company, Bandlock Corp., and Rose acted as his bookkeeper. Rose is predeceased in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Van, and by her sweet daughter, LouAnn. They are now together in heaven.

She will be remembered for many reasons. Her boundless energy and can-do spirit allowed her to serve in several different posts in the Upland Woman’s Club. She has had the distinct honor of being the longest serving member of the Club. She has enjoyed so many wonderful friendships with the women of the Upland Woman’s Club.

She has also held a few different positions over the years at her church Foothill Bible Church in Upland. The family attended at Foothill for many years and Rose just recently had to stop attending due to the Scoliosis. Many of her dear friends from Foothill have already gone on to join the Lord and now she is there with them.

Rose leaves behind numerous friends and family members. She has left her mark on so many people’s lives. She was close with all of her many nieces and nephews: Steve Foster & family (VA); Larry Foster & family (WV); Sandy Paschal & family (GA); Vickie Singleton & family (FL); Denny Brown & family (FL); Moe Helmick & family (WV); Linda Tate (WV); Pam Lewis & family (WV).

She also leaves behind her son-in-law, Greg LaVay, whom she called her “mechanic” and her “strongarm.” Rose depended on Greg for a lot of things.

And she leaves behind her daughter, Patti. My mother and I were very close and we were quite the team, especially since the passing of my dad. I did everything I could to try to make her life better and more comfortable. I am truly devastated by the loss of my mom.

Funeral arrangements are being made by Stone Funeral Home, Upland, and the funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 10th at 11a.m. at Rose’s church of many years:

Foothill Bible Church, 1330 W. 15th Street, Upland, CA 91786. All who knew her are welcome to attend.