1941 – 2015
FAYETTE — Helen Ann (Casey) Strout, 73, a resident of Moose Hill, Fayette, in the company of her beloved husband, Lee, daughters, grandchildren and friends who guarded her last days, Helen Strout (Gray Mane) passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday, May 26. Her late great-granddaughter, Jillian Marie, hovered above, gently lifting her into the arms of God and into the company of her loved ones who left before her. Helen’s death, after a hard battle with cancer, was far too soon for those she left behind. The memory of her life will forever light the paths for those who knew her.
Helen, the sixth child of 14, was born to Thomas William and Evelyn Mary Casey, in Chelsea, Mass., on Nov. 19, 1941. She married Lee Roy Strout Sr. on Feb. 4, 1960, and they began their life together. After several years of traveling with the military, Helen, Lee and their four children settled their little piece of the world on Moose Hill Road, Fayette, so passionately named by Helen, “The Five Maple Farm,” her home for the next 43 years. Helen touched so many lives with her warmth, generosity and humor; a testimony by all who ever had the luxury of knowing her. For 30 years, her family gathered around her kitchen table at 6 a.m. every weekday to have morning coffee before the work day began. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren all boarded the school bus at the end of her driveway. There was always a home-cooked meal, of which there was always “plenty” or a “good” cup of coffee for any who gathered around her table.
She loved horses, painting, playing the guitar, snow-machining and working around her farm. Her most cherished pastime included sitting in her rocking chair, a coffee in hand while her family and friends serenaded her with the guitar. But above all, her family mattered most.
Helen was an active woman who never let age slow her down, winning her first blue ribbon in barrel-racing when she was 58. She took pride in her painting and had the ribbons to prove it. Helen is welcomed into the arms of Jesus by her parents, Thomas and Evelyn; siblings, Jimmy (stillborn), Thomas Jr. (Bill), Evelyn, Ruth, Linda and Louise; sisters-in-law and best friends, Margaret and Georgie Strout; her little angel, Jillian Marie; and many more.
Helen leaves behind her loving husband and soul mate of 55 years, Lee Roy Strout Sr.; brothers, Joseph (Judy), Robert (Shirley) and James; sisters, Maureen, Muriel (Will) and Rosemary; children, Roxanne (Jack) Turner, Regina (Timothy) Frailey, Lee Jr. (Nahir) Strout and Daniel Strout; grandchildren, Helen, Erin (Mike), Ashley (Gary), Nathaniel (Isabella), Jack III, Shyanne, Jordan (Tyler), Lee III, Brittany and Taylar; great-grandchildren, Vivianne, Lillian, Larrie III, Madelain, Sophie, Austen, Jakob and Eoghan.
We cannot take for granted she who has blessed us while on this earth. We must rejoice with knowledge that she has passed the barrier of time as we know it and is forever with the Savior, faithfully looking after all of us.
Messages of condolence may be sent to www.finleyfuneralhome.com.
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