Helmer, Jeanne Miriam

Jeanne Miriam Helmer, 88, of Blacksburg, died Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at the Kroontje Health Care Center at Warm Health Village. Jeanne was born in Oak Park, IL on April 25, 1923 to the late Egbert and Helena DeHerder. She was the only daughter living in a home of five brothers, all of whom died before her. She was also preceded in death by three husbands to whom she was married for more than 20 years each, Walter Sheldon Helmer, Edward James Hutchinson, Sr. and James William Leehman, Sr.; and by her eldest son, James Leehman, Jr. of Racine Wis.; stepson, Rodney Hutchinson of Fredericksburg, Va.; and stepdaughter Linda Baccus of Manassas, Va. Despite a life filled with many losses, Jeanne always bounced back. She was a feisty, Dutch-blooded woman who welcomed every new adventure. She loved to travel and found great joy in her garden. She lived a full and happy life as a homemaker, a small business-owner and an active member of several church communities, most recently First Congregational Church of Midlothian VA and Glade Church of Blacksburg. She enjoyed an active social life with her Hawthorne Ridge “cell block” and loved presiding over holiday meals for an ever-expanding family of stepchildren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jeanne is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, John Leehman and Sandy Toensing of Blacksburg; by stepchildren, Edward and Eileen Hutchinson of Scotia, N.Y., Kathy and Tony Mullens of Sandwich, IL, Susan Hutchinson of Fredericksburg, Va., Richard and Pam Helmer of Mt. Ranier, Md., Steven and Susan Helmer of Siler City, N.C., and Leroy Baccus of Manassas, Va. She is also survived by grandchildren Nathan Leehman and Courtenay Buchan, Emma Leehman-Brewer, Dane Leehman, Pam and Tom Spicer, Mark and Heather Hutchinson, Michael, Corey and Jay Mullens, Carrie and Patrick Rogers, Andrew Hutchinson, Ashby Strassburger, Stephanie Helmer and Wes Lail, Sarah Helmer, Sonya, Wendy and Kelly Baccus; and by great- grandchildren Samantha, Nathan, Olivia, Kayleigh, Keegan, Maris, Hannah, and Tyler. There will be no formal calling hours. The family would like to give special thanks to Carilion Hospice, to Dr. Michael Payne, to Lisa Gunther, RN and to the entire staff at the Kroontje and Showalter Care Centers. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carilion Hospice, 707 Randolph Street, Radford, VA 24073. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.