Middleton, Helen (nee Reed)

Helen (nee Reed) Middleton passed away with dignity on Sept. 2, 2009, at home in Johnsburg, Ill., after a courageous battle with colon cancer.

She was born in Springfield, Ill., to Frank and Fern (Miller) Reed on June 5, 1924, and was raised in Chicago. After graduating from the University of Chicago High School she attended the Art Institute of Washington, D.C., but had to transfer to its Florida branch during World War II. During the war she volunteered with the American Red Cross as a Grey Lady. While vacationing at her parents' summer cabin in Silver Gate, Mont., she met her husband, William, who was a park ranger during a break from medical school. They married in 1947 and lived in Philadelphia, Bethesda, and eventually Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where they raised their three children. She enjoyed painting oil portraits and worked as a volunteer at the Mercy Medical Center gift shop. After briefly retiring to Guadalajara, Mexico, she moved to San Antonio, traveling with her husband. She was quite a sports trivia expert and especially enjoyed watching the Chicago Cubs.

Among her survivors are her son, John Reed Middleton (Ute Neumann) of Hamburg, Germany; her daughter, Elizabeth (Bill) Phelps of Johnsburg, Ill.; her grandchildren, Chris (Imke Tiemann) and Nic Middleton of Berlin, Germany, Marisa Middleton of Ludwigsburg, Germany and Brian Phelps of Chicago; great-grandson, Paul William Middleton; nephew, Frank Reed; and nieces, Martha Sloan and Jan Hanks.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her brother, Frank; her husband; and her daughter, Carol Ann.

Helen “Momsie” was truly a joy to be around for all who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date in Montana.

Memorials may be made in her name to Hospice of Northeastern Illinois, 410 S. Hager Ave., Barrington, IL 60010-4196.

Arrangements were made by Northern Illinois Funeral Services, Inc. (847) 833-2928.