Helen Loretta Stokes

Helen Loretta Stokes, 96, of Jefferson City, MO died peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 20, the first day of Spring, 2018. Helen will be entombed in a ceremony at the Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum in front of a beautiful stained glass window that, in typical fashion, she quietly helped choose. As the only female member of the Board for the Mausoleum, she was disturbed by a proposed design she felt would be disquieting rather than comforting to grieving families. She worked quietly with other members of the board to find a different artist whose design for the risen Christ was eventually chosen. As a child, Helen was an athlete who loved baseball and track. She grew to be a woman ahead of her time as she married Clarence Stokes, raised a family (Sr. Mary Helen, Charlie and Tom), and gently but powerfully shone her light to the world as a career Executive Assistant and mentor in the Missouri General Assembly, a volunteer to her church and community, and a best friend to so many people whose lives she touched. Among her many involvements, she served the Cathedral of St. Joseph as a charter member of the parish, a member of the Parish Council, the Holy Name Society, the Liturgy Committee, Co-Chair of the Christmas Bazaar Country Store, Coffee Bar Coordinator, and grade-school volunteer and was on the Board of the Resurrection Cemetery Mausoleum. A woman of many talents and interests, Helen was a writer, seamstress, prolific reader, international traveler, genealogist, gardener, excellent cook, avid card player, expert trout fisherwoman, a forever Cardinal fan, and a lover of everything Irish. But, first and foremost, she was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother to those she most loved - her family. Obligations and deadlines paled next to everything involving family. We will cherish her jokes, sense of humor, ever-present smile, and gentle approach to love and life. Though she will be sorely missed by many, her light will shine on in the lives and love of those who called her Mom, Grandma, or Friend. Survivors include her three children, Sr. Mary Helen, Jefferson City; Tom (Becky), Jefferson City; Charlie (Laurie), Connecticut; five grandchildren, Curt (Maria), Kevin, Matt (Kerrin), Josh (Kate) and Jon; and 7 great-grandchildren, Charlie Mae, Ruby Lou, Madelyn, Eva, Anna, Lily, and JJ. Friends will be received at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home in Jefferson City from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 23, 2018, with a rosary and sharing of memories at 3:15 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 24, 2018 at the Cathedral of St. Joseph with the Rev. Msgr. Michael Becker as celebrant. Memorials are suggested to the School Sisters of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province at https://www.ssndcentralpacific.org/give. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.