Helen Simpson Struhart Maurer

It has been said that “all the world’s a stage.” This particularly held true for Helen Simpson Maurer. Indeed, she was one of the players. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a perpetual performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and was always willing to share that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Helen, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark, or the twinkle of an eye. Helen truly mastered the art of living and had great fun throughout her journey.

Helen first stepped onto the stage of life on April 18, 1930. She first greeted the world at home in the Pilsen neighborhood on Throop Street in Chicago. She was the daughter of Sam and Mae Struhart. She grew up in Chicago, Illinois and spent her summers in St. Charles Illinois. Even as a child, it seemed as though she had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring, and friendly. She couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention and was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, succeeded in entertaining her entire family.

Always a good playmate, Helen was easygoing and fun-loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was, even in the middle of family squabbles. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, she managed to find satisfying solutions to basic problems. She could see all sides of a dispute and managed to bring in her sense of humor whenever it was needed. She was raised with 3 siblings; two older sisters, Mildred and Rose and one younger brother, Charles. All of Helen's playful good nature carried over into her childhood. She had an outgoing personality, a lively imagination, and a rather laid back, go-with-the-flow approach to life. She was constantly on the go. As a result of this, she experienced a rather active childhood and this suited her very well. She enjoyed being involved with different groups, such as activities with her school and church (St. Procopius) and also the 4-H club. She also had a number of favorite pastimes as a child, including spending summers in St. Charles with her siblings and Grandma.

Helen was drawn to both individuals and crowds. She frequently used her gregarious and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. Helen also went on a few trips when she was growing up.

Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that Helen was a “cut-up” and had a tendency to be the class clown. With the knack for being able to find a joke in just about any situation, whether in class or not, she was always ready with a laugh. She wasn’t the type of person who would say or do things to be unkind or garner all the attention. Rather, Helen simply enjoyed seeing others have a good time and to hear their laughter. As for grades, it could be said that they may not have been the most important thing to her, but she really did enjoy her school experience, even if she wasn't one to get caught up in the academics. For Helen, experience was the best teacher. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying a practical approach to knowledge. She graduated from St. Procopius in 1948 in a class of just 25 students. For Helen, a class or a teacher had to be fun to really capture her attention.

The high school years were not just about the classroom for Helen. There were a lot of other exciting and interesting things to do and see. She found it easy to become a part of a lot of different groups and activities. This quality allowed her to continually develop new relationships and continually widen her circle of friends. For Helen, they were all potential spectators for her seemingly non-stop performances. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song, or just plain fooling around, she was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. She utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. Just about anyone who knew Helen back then would probably be able to tell a story in which she played the starring role. Some of her best friends growing up included Elsie, Anne, Joan and Rosemary. They remained her close friends in her adulthood as well.

Helen understood responsibility and took it seriously, despite the fact that she seemed carefree on the surface. This was obvious in a number of different ways.

She was a very easy person to approach, simply by being so emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate. Allan Robert Simpson learned this firsthand. They were married at St. Procopius church in Chicago Illinois.

She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings and that was especially true in marriage. In that way, she tried to bring joy and harmony to the household. Like most young couples, they lived rather modestly. After Allan passed away, Helen eventually met Richard Hoelzer. Thirteen years after the passing of her love, Allan; Helen and Dick were married. Their marriage lasted from 1982 until Dick passed away in 1991. In 1996 Helen married Ray Maurer.

Helen seemed to have an endless appetite for new activities. A generous person who often wore her heart on her sleeve, she often found herself involved in activities that she felt were important. She was charitable, kind, and giving, qualities that made her a natural volunteer. Outspoken in her beliefs, yet tactful in her dealings with others, she was a member of several community groups. Helen had an endless appetite for new and different activities. She was always ready to join in the fun and add her flair and energy to an organization. Because of her personality, her humor, and her ability to get along with everyone, Helen's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which she belonged.

Perhaps the reason Helen related so well to youngsters was the fact that she was always a kid at heart herself. This quality helped her in raising her own family. It was as if she remembered the way it felt to play and have fun as a child and so she tried to keep that feeling alive in her own family. She had 3 daughters, Judy (who is deceased), Janine, and Donna. The children would often fill her with pride. She also tried to raise the children in a safe and nurturing environment, filled with fun and wonder. Helen had the ability to focus her attention on the present moment. If she was spending time with her children, that is where all of her attention was directed. She could spend hours engaging them with fun and creative play. In fact, Helen had a knack for turning some of those nasty old household chores into fun and playful games.

She tried her best to be a good parent. Helen also carried over the fun into family trips and vacations.

Later on, she was also blessed with three grandchildren, Kyle, Angelina, and Jenna.

At work, as in life, Helen was a real "people person." She had a very successful way of working effectively with others and her enthusiasm and energy were often contagious. When dealing with various projects and problems, Helen was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the best option. Being a down-to-earth thinker allowed many to see her as an excellent problem-solver. Her primary occupation was working as a manager of 1st Federal Savings and Loan in Westchester, Illinois. After High School she worked for Walter Hellers, an investment firm in Chicago.

Helen made a number of new friends in the workplace, due to her outgoing personality.

Helen managed to wrap herself up in all sorts of activities during her career.

Helen enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. She was the kind of person who liked creating things. Some of her favorite pastimes were decorating, crocheting, gardening most of all spending time with her grandchildren.

Helen developed a number of favorite things throughout her life. She enjoyed volunteering at her daughter's school. Sitting down and watching a movie or television show was always something she enjoyed.

Vested with a deep concern for spiritual development, Helen recognized that her faith was important to her throughout her life. She was a member of St. Margaret Mary's for 26 years. During that time she was a Church greeter on Sundays.

Helen believed that you had to experience life to its fullest and her life in retirement was no different. The day to retire finally arrived in 1996. Like most things in her life, she took it in stride as one more way to have fun. With her boundless energy, she remained busy with people and projects. She loved to travel; she went to Carmel and Monterey California, she went on Hawiian and Alaskan cruises and also to Walt Disney World in Florida. Most of all though, she enjoyed spending time with her family. Not only did Helen stay in touch with old friends, she befriended plenty of new people as well. Pets were still part of her life in retirement as was evident with her relationship with Mikey, her ragdoll cat. She had him for one year. Some of her most prestigious awards she received included the "Best Mom" and "Best Nana" award, given to her by her family.

Helen Maurer left us on May 28th, 2011. She passed away at Good Samaritan Hospital. Helen fought a brave battle against cancer for 14 years.

Helen was always sharing a good laugh and bringing joy to all of those around her. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and a zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Helen Simpson Maurer lived life to its fullest and made everyone happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.

Helen Simpson Maurer, nee Struhart, beloved wife of the late Allan Simpson, the late Richard Hoelzer and Raymond Maurer; devoted mother of Janine (Frank) Tsakopoulos, Donna (Chris) Mitchel and the late Judy Simpson; dear sister of Mildred and Rose Struhart and the late Charles Struhart; fond aunt of many. Visitation Monday 3-8pm at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave., Lisle (on Rt. 53, ½ mile south of Ogden Ave./Rt. 34) where funeral services will begin Tuesday 9:15am and proceed to St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church for Mass at 10:00 am. Entombment Queen of Heaven Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at www.stjude.org. To celebrate Helen’s life, visit www.Blake-LambFuneralHome.com. For info, call 630-964-9392.