A Celebration of Life for Helen Dewey, 95, of Perry will be Thursday, July 25 in the Canisteo Room of the Hotel Pattee. The service will start at 6 p.m. after a visitation with family and friends from 5 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be held at a later date at Violet Hill Cemetery.
Helen passed away Jan. 3, 2019, at Pearl Valley Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Perry, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, 505 Fifth Ave., Suite 808, Des Moines, IA 50309; EveryStep Hospice, 3000 Easton Blvd., Des Moines, IA. 50317; the League of Women Voters of Iowa, 1007 E. Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319; the Friends of the Perry Public Library, 1101 Willis Ave., Perry, IA 50220; or to a charity of your choice, in Helen’s name.
Murdock Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Helen was born in Wells, Minn., to Ralph R. Dewey and Alice L. Dewey Jan. 14, 1923.
She went to Perry High School and graduated in 1940.
She earned a Master’s Degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa in 1945.
Teaching math was her passion. She traveled to almost all corners of the globe, spreading knowledge of algebra, geometry and calculus to students who adored her.
Helen’s career began with a stint at Lever Brothers, and she went on to teach math in LuVerne, Iowa, and in Colorado and Idaho. In 1951-1952 she was on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, teaching new U.S. Army recruits basic math skills.
Then it was on to the American School in Japan (ASIJ) for seven years, where she endeared herself to her students with her wonderfully interesting personality, excellent teaching skills and kind heart.
This poem, written by Bill Crydeman (class of ’55), is a reflection of the fun that Helen had while teaching math.
He writes: “I was a bit bored one day in class, and she had picked on me (good naturedly) for my sins. So in a moment of quiet introspection, I penned the following immortal words:
“O great is our teacher, Miss Dewey.
She sometimes gets on our nerves.
I hate to be snotty, but look at her body.
It’s all angles, and not any curves!
“I think she threw an eraser at me, all the while laughing. At least she didn’t kick me out! I still love the little lady!”
A touching tribute that Helen wanted to share was written by one of her students, John S. Hsia, in a book of mathematical tables in June 1957:
“To Dear Miss Dewey, This is a token of my appreciation of all the things you’ve done for me. My very best wishes and I pray that wherever you traverse, success and happiness march with you. Indeed, you’ve proved to be the most valuable friend of mine, and such person is very seldom found.”
Over the years, Helen also taught in the following places. in chronological order from 1957 through 1991: The American School in London, England; Westchester County, Long Island, N.Y.; Goosebay, Labrador, Canada; Accra, Ghana; Ilorin, Nigeria; the American School in London; Zambia; Okene, Nigeria; Guam; Nicaragua, where she cut her stay short after hearing shots fired down the street; Istanbul, Turkey; Guam; Pakistan; the U.S.; and Mexico.
Helen retired from teaching in 1991, when her eyesight was hindered by macular degeneration, and returned to Perry, Iowa.
Active in retirement, she was a loyal and ardent Democrat who worked on many campaigns and encouraged all to vote.
She was an avid gardener, always having flowers and tomatoes, which she liberally shared with friends and neighbors during the summer months.
She was also employed as a U.S. Census Bureau worker and helped to make sure all in Perry were counted.
In retirement her many library shelves in the family home on Fourth Street were filled with dozens and dozens of books inscribed by a lifetime of grateful students. Helen helped many students from abroad apply for scholarships and get into colleges in the U.S.
Helen is survived by her nephew, Howard Horan of Iowa City; grand-nephew, John Edward Horan of Tbilisi, Georgia; great-grand-nephew, Nicholas Van Allen Horan of Tbilisi; cousin, Thomas Gardner of Illinois. Treasured friends and key support members include Mary Weaver of Rippey, Liz Garst of Coon Rapids and Marti Van Allen of Iowa City. And special friends from all over the world, especially the Japanese Alumni Group.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Alice L. Dewey; father, Ralph R. Dewey, for whom the Perry High School football field is named; sister, Ruth Dewey; brother, Lee Gardner Dewey; nephew, Stephen G. Dewey.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the wonderful, nurturing and loving staff at Pearl Valley Rehab and Nursing Center. No words could describe the great comfort that the family feels for the love and attention provided by the staff when we were unable to be by her side.
Thank you, June, Michelle, Laurie, Stacey, Dee, Emily, Laura, Bobbie, Patrice, Emily, Lizbeth, Christine, Christina, Judy, Greg, Sam, Jessie, Deanna, Lloyd, Alisa, Sue, Nikki, Jason, Kelly, Andrea, Melissa, Jeff, Janet, Lance, Maria, Becky, James, Justin, Jack, Judy, Kassie and Lisa. Hope that’s everyone. Thank you all!
And, of course, Aubrey from EveryStep Hospice! Aubrey’s dedication to her work and assisting with Helen’s end-of-life care was compassionate and appreciated by all members of Helen’s family of friends.
Mary Weaver was at Helen’s side as she passed. Mary has been incredible in her support and advocacy for Helen over the past six-plus years — and much longer friendship. Liz Garst also tended to Helen’s needs and care with unwavering dedication. The family is in great debt to the strength of both Mary and Liz’s friendship with our remarkable Helen.
Helen was always the most popular guest at our Dewey-VanAllen-Horan family gatherings. Everyone clamored to sit by Helen as she was the most interesting conversationalist. Politics, human rights — you name it. No topic was spared by Helen and her wit.
One of Helen’s favorite quotes was, “The U.S. Constitution was written by geniuses so idiots could govern.” It was a sentiment she found ringing particularly true in the current situation.
In her 2017 holiday letter to friends, she wrote: “We, here in the U.S., are daily chagrined and embarrassed by our current leader. We are hopeful that you may experience peace within your soul.”
Helen had a wonderful memory, which served her well as her sight and hearing failed. Helen led a full and interesting life, with friendships all over the world. We should all be so lucky and wise to spend our lives as Helen did.
“In her 2017 holiday letter to friends, she wrote: ‘We, here in the U.S., are daily chagrined and embarrassed by our current leader. We are hopeful that you may experience peace within your soul.'”
Yes, indeed. I loved that woman and her fighting spirit. She was much the gentle and caring soul inside, but she took no guff.
I’m not normally in the habit of making political comments on memorial notices, but I’m certain Helen wouldn’t mind. I’m thinking that if Helen was twenty years younger, she would spare no effort to show her utter contempt for the current administration and vociferously chastise anyone who openly supported it. As a political activist, I could never hope to fill her shoes, but I owe it to her to try.
She never gave up, nor will I.