Helen May Goonen, 95, passed away Tuesday Oct 17, 2017 at her home. Born April 30, 1922 to Claude and Ruth (Kraus) Jefferies Griswold. She was born and raised in Fort Wayne and was a 1940 graduate of North Side High School. She met Denis Goonen (Lafayette, IN) and married in 1943. While Denis served in the Merchant Marines during WWII, Helen worked at G.E. She was a life-long resident of Fort Wayne other than living in Avon, IN (1974-1980).

Helen was known for her kind, gentle nature and subtle wit. During her active years she enjoyed traveling, was an avid water skiier skier performing in ski shows around the region. She was always youthful for her age, skiing well into her 60''s. Other favorite activities included square dancing and ice skating, Helen''s greatest accomplishment was but she was the most satisfied being an excellent homemaker, a devoted mother to Kathy (Kathleen) and a loyal wife to Denny. Her family and her home were her life.

Her youthfulness & vigor changed faded with a slow decline over the last decade as Alzheimer''s took it''s toll on her. Despite this insideous disease slowly ultimately overtaking her abilities, she remained comfortable, happy and still had her beautiful smile. During the last few years Since the death of Denis in 2013, her life and home were filled with new friends that cared for and loved her through to the end.

Her tender touch and sparkling eyes of love and tender touch will be desperately missed by her surviving daughter, Kathy (Kathleen Goonen). She is also survived by her sister, Betty Failor. She was preceded in death by her sister, Norma Stemen and brother, John L Jefferies Sr.