Helen Beard-Hawley

Helen Beard-Hawley, age 80, formerly of Appleton and Neenah, Wisconsin, passed away on December 3, 2017 at Lakeshore Manor in Oshkosh. Born in humble surroundings, Mom spoke fondly of her childhood years on the family farm in Ogdensburg and of visits to her uncle’s apple orchard in Chippewa Falls. One of seven children and a graduate of Manawa High School, as a young woman she sought adventure by moving to San Diego, California. There she found work and love and soon began the real adventure in her life- raising six children back in Wisconsin. A role she played incredibly well while still managing to hold down jobs ranging from bartender, golf course manager, landlord and executive secretary at Kimberly-Clark.

Mom enjoyed gardening, ballroom and country line dancing, painting and travel but her true pride and joy was always her family. She made us each feel so very special and was deeply loved by us all. We will miss her dearly. She is survived by her six children Diane (Bill) Peevy, Sue (Dale) Butler, Jeff (Paige) Beard, Tim (Tinna) Beard, Bill Beard (Sara Jungels), and Joe (Karilynn) Beard; step children Pat (Carrie) Hawley and Ed (Mary Jo) Hawley; siblings Steve, Charles, Pearl, Jim and Roxie; 18 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Clifford and Clara Webb, husband James Hawley and brother Lawrence Webb.
The Funeral Liturgy for Helen will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, December 8, 2017 at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH (410 West Lawrence Street, Appleton, WI) with Fr. Jim Leary, O.F.M. Cap. officiating. Visitation will be held at church from 3:00 PM until the time of service.

Mom, you are free. No more confusion, no more frustration, no more pain. You are surely in the Kingdom of Heaven having endured the worst of Alzheimer’s hell. The memory of you will warm our hearts here on earth until we meet again.