Helen Healy

Helen Healy, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, was called home to God early Monday morning, October 25, 2010. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends and by the hundreds of students she taught the joy of music. She was patient, kind and understanding, and one of the most loving people to all who knew her. A delightful sense of humor filled her heart all of her life. Helen was born in Danville, Illinois, on February 15, 1915. She graduated from the University of Illinois School of Music in 1937, with degrees in cello performance and music education. She taught instrumental music and directed band and orchestra in the Georgetown, Illinois, High School prior to her marriage to her college sweetheart, Byron Healy, on August 5, 1939. Over the years, hundreds of students of all ages came to her home for private music instruction, primarily on piano, violin and cello. The sheet music still waits on the piano from the last lesson she gave just days before entering the hospital for a final, brief illness. In addition to her teaching, she was a musician -- a valued member of symphony orchestras and stringed ensembles in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Utah and California as well as Arizona, where she currently resided. She continued to maintain an active membership in Sigma Alpha Iota, National Music Fraternity. She and her husband settled in Sun City, Arizona, in 1978, where she joined the Sun Cities Symphony of the West Valley and played cello for 18 years. After retiring from the Symphony, she was elected to membership on its board of directors and was actively involved in the Symphony Guild. In Sun City, she also continued to play in a number of ensemble groups, including the Sun Cities Chamber Orchestra. It was here that she studied the harp and played in a harp ensemble. She also served terms as President of the Sun City Musician’s Club and a term on the Board of the Sun Cities Chamber Music Society. She was past president of the Illini (University of Illinois) Club of the West Valley and a volunteer for Sun Health. Mrs. Healy was an active member of the international P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter BY, in Arizona, and held all of the local offices. While a member in Illinois, she served as chairman of the state convention. Mrs. and Mr. Healy were involved members of the Church of the Palms (United Church of Christ), where she served on several boards and committees. They were also members of the Union Hills Country Club. Helen Healy leaves behind her a cherished and devoted husband of over 71 years, and three loving daughters, Barbara (Jack) Hallock of Hazelhurst, Wisconsin, Martha Healy of Aiken, South Carolina, and Patricia Locke of Grand Haven, Michigan, along with four grandchildren, Matthew Hallock, David (Andrea) Hallock, Ashley Locke, and Benjamin Locke, and one great grandson. She was preceded in death by her only brother, Gene Jackson. It was a privilege to know Helen Healy, a joy to love her, and heartbreaking to let her go. But the world is a better place because she was here. A grave-side service was held on Friday, October 29, at the Healy Funeral Home in Sugar Grove, Illinois. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at the Church of the Palms in Sun City, Arizona, on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Symphony of the West Valley: 10451 Palmeras Drive, Suite 210, Sun City, AZ; 623-972-4484.