Helen June LaMoure
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Helen went to be with our Lord on September 18, 2021 with family by her side. 98 years young. She was born Helen June Darragh in Butte, MT to Edward and Helen G. Darragh on June 24, 1923. The middle of three sisters she enjoyed it just being the girls. As a resident of Walkerville she had many fond memories growing up in her neighborhood.
Her inner and outer beauty both were equally striking. She had the most beautiful light blue/grey eyes. She even won the bathing beauty contest at the Rocky Mountain Sportsman’s picnic in 1941. But her best feature was her devotion and loyalty, both to God and to her family.
Helen attended Girls Central Catholic School and after graduation she went to nursing school and joined the Navy Reserves, of which ended up being her career. Helen had many lifelong connections and had many great friends from nursing school. Some of her favorite times were with all the nurses on their off time, going to dances and such.
Helen was a magnificent dancer, which led her to meet the love of her life, Gerald “Jerry” LaMoure, at a supper club dance shortly before WW11. Helen was there with a group of nurses, he asked her to dance, and the rest is history. Jerry was a yeoman for the Navy, and upon him returning from the war, the two married at the naval hospital chapel in Oakland, CA. February 16, 1946. The couple settled down in Helena and had two children: G. Edward and Karen Lynn.
Helen went into the inactive Navy Reserves and worked for 30 years at the Fort Harrison VA Hospital as the head nurse of one of the surgical wards there. She loved her profession. I remember her telling me that when penicillin came out, she remembers them teaching the nurses all about it and how to administer it. She ran her floor like a tight ship, no nonsense, and all business. People joked that no one spiked the punch at holiday parties on her floor.
Helen loved to travel. Over the course of her life, she visited Europe and Ireland as well as many U.S. States. She enjoyed a good theater production and music.
Helen was a part of many clubs and organizations. She loved playing bridge with the girls, golfing, and bowling with her husband, and of course, dancing. Later in life she made many good friends at the Helena Senior Center where she would go to visit with the girls and take tai chi and various classes. She was a proud and devout parishioner of St Mary’s Catholic Church since the mid 60’s and always found great comfort in the Lord.
She was the greatest example of the typical stereotype for a Butte Irish Lady; strong willed, beautiful, personable, hardworking, helpful, loyal, someone who is very hard to forget.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband Jerry, sisters Edna Sullivan and Shirley Sinz, as well as her daughter Karen Mays. She is survived by her son G. Edward LaMoure, granddaughter Emilee J.L. Mays Bandoli (Jason Torick) and extended family and friends.
Helen’s funeral mass will be held on November 4, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1700 Missoula Ave. Helena, MT. At 12:10 PM. Following her mass will be interment at Fort Harrison Montana State Veteran’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her honor to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, Helena Food Share, or Rocky Mountain Development Council Senior Center. ~Que Ser Sera~
Kathy Crawford says
Emily so very sorry to hear of Helen’s passing. Prayers for you during this difficult time.Your grandmother was such beautiful lady I will never forget how she was dancing the night away when you and Tim got married such a long time ago.
Sister Dolores Brinkel says
For several years Helen and I rode to church together. What an inspiration she was.
She is now rejoicing in the Lord.
Sister Dolores Brinkel
Joanie Werner Mathis says
Helen traveled on many trips with 3 travel clubs these past 25 yrs. with Summit Clib (Mountain West Bank), Elite Travel Club (Stockman Bank) and Diamond Destinations. One of her earliest was to Italy and last to White Sulphur Springs. I loved her spunk!
Marie Brown says
Helen was so vibrant and happy when I last saw her at her birthday party at the Senior Center. She always dressed up for Halloween at Exercise Class. I will miss her very much!
stephen james kasperick says
Our condolences to my good friend Ed… so sorry for the loss of your mother. I think back of all the good times we had as classmates growing up. Take care my friend.
Brian LaMoure says
Auntie Helen will be missed. I remember our family visiting her, Jerry, Eddie and Karen on Christmas and somehow we had missed Santa visit to our home. Lots of great memories of family 4th of July’s up in Marysville. Sad to see that generations passing.