Helen C. Poirot
Helen Cecelia Poirot, 95, entered Eternal Rest on Sunday, November 14, 2021, while a resident of Heritage Health nursing home in Litchfield IL.
Helen spent her entire life in the Southern Illinois area. She was born November 22, 1925, to John and Cecelia (Stube) Dreas. Along with her parents, her older brother Albert, preceded her in death.
She married Robert W. Poirot (d.) May 8, 1948, and to their union 3 children were born: Nancy (husband Edwin(d.)) Uselmann, John (d.) (wife Cindy) Poirot, and Chris (wife Kathy) Poirot. Grandchildren included Julie Roberts, Sarah Poirot, Kelly (husband Eric) McClintock, Crystal (husband Jake) Brooks, Christopher (wife Amanda) Poirot. Step Grandchildren included Tracy (husband Curtis) Kneblik, Tim Uselmann, Susan (husband Stephen) Schottenfeld. 5 Great Grandchildren were born with one preceding her in death, and 5 Step Great Grandchildren.
Helen was born at her Ashley home. She attended Ashley Grade School and Nashville High School, becoming a high school secretary prior to marrying Bob (whom she met at a Rural Youth meeting, in 1946)
She spent her entire life as a home maker and was known for her fresh homemade bread, cookies, remarkably flaky pie crusts, sewing, candle-making, and volunteering. Her greatest wish was to help somebody else! She spent years reading to the Catholic 1-2 graders and always closed her time with them by telling them, “I love you”. These words followed her into the Nursing Home and were offered to every staffer who came in to care for her, as well as any and all visitors. She loved company and was a Hostess to the end (saving Ritz crackers from the daily Snack Cart so she had something to ’share’ with her visitors.) She joined her pork producing husband and promoted pork at every opportunity. She delivered Meals on Wheels and produced the highest number of donations as a Docent at Litchfield Historical Route 66 Museum.
Helen and Bob loved playing Pinochle, especially with the Maschhoffs and Hauslers (their BFFs for life). She loved gardening (especially pulling weeds!), cutting grass, working Crossword Puzzles, and working JUMBLES. And she loved reading (easily, 5 books per week). She and Bob enjoyed traveling together. A poster from their tram ride up Mt. Pilatus (in Spain) hung in her room and started many conversations. They visited Hawaii many times, as well as the Caribbean and Singapore.
Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Aunt, Neighbor, Encourager, and Friend, Helen left the world a better place because she was humble and forgiving. She loved Jesus and couldn’t wait to join Him. Her wish has been granted.
Funeral Services will be held at Grace United Methodist Church, Nashville, IL on Friday, November 19 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Leanne Noland and Dennis Hill officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery in Nashville.
Friends may call at the church on Friday from 9 a.m.-11 a.m.
Memorial Donations may be made to Litchfield’s St. Francis Hospital, Historical Route 66 Museum, or Grace United Methodist Church/Nashville, IL and will be accepted by the Campagna Funeral Home, who is assisting the family with arrangements.
Online expressions of sympathy can be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com.
