Obituary: Messer, Helen M. Kennedy

MESSER, Helen M. Kennedy June 05, 1929 - November 1, 2013 Helen M. Kennedy Messer (84) was born in Massena, NY and moved to Spokane, WA at the age of 13; when her father was hired to help with the startup of the Mead Kaiser plant.

Helen passed peacefully in the arms of her daughter Cathy from an aortic aneurysm.

Helen was preceded in death by parents Angus and Edith Kennedy; brother Richard J. Kennedy; husband Archie T Messer Sr.; and daughter-in-law Gloria (Archie) Messer.

She was mother to Cathy Messer, Archie Messer, Alice Higgins, and Laurie (Warren) Strong; grandmother to Elena (Randy) Stamm, Lindsey Messer, Jennifer Higgins, Jolene (Joshua) Lindstrom and Amy (Donny) Freeze; great-grandmother to Taneesha, Hunter and Gabe, Katherine, Ashley and William.

She is also survived by three brothers, Larry (Bertie) Kennedy, Angus (Joanne) Kennedy, Robert (Pam) Kennedy; two sisters, Donna (Mike) Tabit, Patty Batchelder and numerous nieces and nephews.

After the passing of Helen’s husband, she lived with Cathy for nineteen years.

Helen then lived at Northpointe Memory Care from October 24, 2012 until November 1, 2013.

Her children, family, and friends visited often at C House.

Helen’s hobbies included reading, puzzles, knitting baby blankets, dish cloths and afghans.

She also enjoyed her “mother-in-laws” gambling trips to various parts of Nevada.

She enjoyed doing emails and games on the computer for many years.

She loved music and had many CD’s she would play when doing puzzles.

Helen loved her family and friends and more than anything loved the get-togethers for birthdays, holidays and events so she could be with her grandchildren.

Mom was a baby magnet, loving all children and babies.

She loved going camping and fishing at Sullivan Lake and the Columbia river at Kettle Falls, WA.

Helen’s family moved to Milan, WA in 1959 and she raised her four children on twenty acres along the little Spokane river.

She was an awesome mother and was the glue that held the family so close together.

In 1979 mom and dad moved to Spokane.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Inland Northwest Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 910 W. 5th Ave. Ste.

256, Spokane, WA 99204.

There will be a visitation Friday, November 8, 2013 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ball & Dodd Funeral Home.

A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, November 9, 2013 10:00 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 5921 N. Nelson Street, Spokane, WA 99207.

Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery followed by a potluck at the St. Patrick School basement behind the church.