Helen L. (Botchkai) Huys

Aug. 8, 1926 - March 20, 2009
SOUTH BEND - Helen L. Huys, 82, of Memphis, Tennessee, formerly of South Bend, passed away Friday, March 20, 2009, in Memphis. Helen was born August 8, 1926, in Hammond, Indiana, a daughter of the late Louis and Helen (Gilanyi) Botchkai.

She grew up in South Bend and graduated from Riley High School.

On January 17, 1948, in South Bend, Helen married George J. Huys, Ph.D. George was the first superintendent of the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation and was an assistant superintendent with School City of Mishawaka. The couple eventually settled in Memphis where George was professor of educational administration and supervision at Memphis State University. George passed away in 1983 and Helen continued to make the community her home.

In her younger years, Helen was employed with Tower Federal Bank as well as with the phone company. She primarily was a homemaker who enjoyed cooking, sewing and caring for her yard. Helen was an artistic person who was talented in oil painting. She also liked golfing. Helen enjoyed spending time with her friends in Memphis.

Helen's surviving family includes a sister, Irene (Ed) Mercer of Middlebury, Indiana; nieces, Patricia (Mark) Ransley of Livonia, Michigan, Melanie (Charles) Stewart of South Bend, Shirley (Michael) Kucharski of Granger and Janet (Kevin) Kelly of Oklahoma; nephews, Louis and Stephen Botka of South Bend; several great-nieces and nephews.

Services honoring Helen's life will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Thallemer, Goethals & Wells Funeral Home, 503 W. Third, Mishawaka, where friends may call from 10 - 11 a.m. Burial will follow AT St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Mishawaka. Memorials may be made to Crossroads Hospice, 1669 Shelby Oaks Drive, Suite 106, Memphis, TN 38134.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Mar. 24, 2009.

07/04/2023 EJS

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