Sharon Sue Marshall Helkema

In Loving Memory of Sharon Sue Marshall Helkema We Will Always Love You! Those We Love ARE NEVER FAR AWAY. THEY WALK BESIDE US EVERY DAY. Mom/Sharon: FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS. Born: August 22, 1936 ~ Passed Onward: July 16, 2024 It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness, that I announce the passing of my very Special, Beautiful and Wonderful mother, Sharon Sue Marshall Helkema. She had been bravely battling dementia for almost nine years. Sharon peacefully passed away in her sleep on July 16, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. She was a month shy of her eighty-eight birthday. Sharon was always and will always be my rock, my best friend, my confident, as well as, the best most thoughtful and considerate mother that anyone could ever dream to have or wish for. Never a day or second went by that she was not there to try to help, protect, comfort, listen to and to guide me. She made me the person that I am today. Without her constant love, support and direction, I would have been totally lost. I thank God for the blessings of allowing to be able to call her my amazing, delightful, marvelous, magnificent and the most perfect mother. Sharon will always be in my heart, and soul and will walk with me throughout all eternity. I will forever miss her sweet nature, beauty and spirit, along with her smile and laugh, each and every day, until I will get to see her, my dear grandmother, grandfather, along with my father again in heaven. We will all be sitting together in the shade of our porch, under a bright beautiful summer’s day, with our pets, Korky, Fuzzy and Kitty, enjoying each other’s company once more. I will always love my breathtaking mom Sharon, with all of my heart and soul forever and ever. Thank you mom, for always being there to help, teach, safeguard, and to love me. You always put me and my wants, needs and desires before your own. You always supported me in every way and in anything that I wanted to do. I could always share my deepest thoughts and fears with you and you would always make me feel better. I knew that I could never fail with you and you’re never ending and unbaiting love, always by my side. You always had my back and were in my corner, loving me and whom I could always count and depend on. My life is better and much more complete and richer, having had you as my sweet, caring, nurturing and brilliant mother for sixty-five years. You will forever be with me, in my heart and soul, still guiding me for all eternity. With my heartfelt gratitude for a very happy life and a long life with you, and for all of the extraordinary joyful and warmest memories with you, which will last me a lifetime, My Heartfelt and Sincere Thank you, for being You and for being Mine! You’re loving and tremendously grateful, thankful and humble son, Brett Arthur Helkema XXXXXOOOOO Sharon was born, Sharon Sue Marshall August 22, 1936, in Indianapolis, Indiana to Thomas William and Alice Louise Corrigan Marshall. She was their only child, whom they loved and cared for deeply. They made the eastside of Indianapolis their happy and loving home. Sharon attended and graduated from Warren Central High School in 1954. While attending there, Sharon was a columnist for the school paper, The Warren Howl. Sharon was also a beautiful model on their Blocks Fashion Board. Many people said that Sharon reminded them of the actress, Mary Tyler Moore. After graduation, Sharon went to for Farm Bureau Co-Op Insurance as a statistical typist. She enjoyed her job and her co-workers immensely. In 1957, Sharon met Ted Arthur Helkema, where they attended Irvington United Methodist Church. It was love at first sight. They fell in love and were married in 1958. They both had their only child, Brett Arthur Helkema in October of 1959. Sharon decided to quit Farm Bureau Co-Op to devote herself to being a fantastic full-time wife and mother. We all had a very loving, happy family with many, many good and fun times together. Unfortunately, Ted and Sharon decided to divorce in 1973. Both of them though, remained close friends, until Ted’s passing in June of 2010. Sharon returned to the workforce to care for and provide for her son in 1973. She went to work for John Hancock Insurance Company as the office secretary and receptionist. She enjoyed her job and co-workers. Sharon ended her career with John Hancock as manager of Mailroom Operations. During her time with John Hancock, Sharon had a part time job with Silhouette National Health Spa as a Sales Representative and Instructor. She really enjoyed this job. She considered it a fun activity, as she deeply enjoyed the people and her guests. Sharon wanted to keep working and being productive. She changed careers and went to work, first for Crestwood Village Communities and then followed her manager to Justice Communities, as their Marketing Director for the Assisted Living Division. Sharon loved the work and her residents. She completely filled both communities including a wait list, multiple times. Sharon was always very dedicated and had an incredible work ethic. She was very intelligent and she always set an example for her peers in appearance and professional behavior. Sharon enjoyed reading romance/adventure novels, doing crossword puzzles, tanning, watching television, being at home, dinners out, movies, plays, going to sporting events, shopping and just being out, running errands with her son Brett and her mother Alice and father Tom. She enjoyed and revered nature. Family was her life and she loved nothing better than just being together, spending quality time with her mother, father, son and her pets, Korky, Fuzzy and Kitty. Sharon was a people person, very loving, kind, thoughtful, sentimental, sensitive, considerate, compassionate, and loved all animals. Sharon was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. She looked forward to going to mass each Saturday evening, praying and socializing with her church family. Sharon had a very complete and good life with few, if any regrets. She was a very beautiful, happy, positive, considerate and a very loving person. She brightened the world and each person’s life that she touched. Sharon Sue Marshall Helkema will be forever missed and mourned. At the same time, she will be celebrated for herself and as an incredible person, wife and mother, along with the moral life that she always led. Sharon’s spirit and soul will forever shine bright with the sun during the day enriching the sky, while helping the stars sparkle even more brilliantly above in the evening. Thank you Sharon/Mom, for a life well lived. Those that knew you and that you touched, are better for you and will always remember and love you. Sharon Sue Marshall Helkema’s lasting legacy will be of everlasting beauty, love, thoughtfulness, tenderness, kindness, sensitivity, respect and compassion for everyone. Lord Jesus Christ, Our Savior, please hold Sharon tight in your arms and to your bosom and never let her go. Sharon is now at home in heaven, in peace and tranquility and forever happy and content with her family, pets, and her friends who have gone before her, by her side. Mom/Sharon, until we meet again in heaven, know that you will always be with me, supporting and leading and guiding me with every step that I take and breath that I breath, until my very last breath here on earth. I will always love you with all my heart, soul and spirit, forever. Thank you for always being there for me and with me and especially, for being my very, very, Extraordinary, Wonderful, Beautiful, Talented and Special, Mother. You have always been and will always be my Everything and Whole, Entire World. With my true and undying Love and Respect Always, Your Extremely Grateful and Loving Son, Brett Helkema. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7243 East 10th Street, Indianapolis, with visitation from 10:15 a.m. until the time of mass. Sharon is survived by her loving and devoted son, Brett Arthur Helkema; and special friend, Phyllis Rowe-Helkema. A very worthwhile charity is the Alzheimer’s Association, 50 East 91st Street, Suite 100, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Final arrangements and care are entrusted to Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel.

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Sharon Sue Marshall Helkema

August 22, 1936 - July 16, 2024