Mary Ann Helmes

HELMES, Mary Ann (Nee Woelfel) Beloved wife of Richard Helmes. Loving mother of Jennifer (Ryan) Fowkes, Tara Twilling (Mark Wimmel), Paul (Brittany) Twilling, Ashley (Alan) Eldridge, Brittany Twilling, Bryan (Alex) Twilling and step mother of Kyle Helmes and Maggie Helmes. Devoted Nana to Olivia, Nolan, Avery, Paisley, Piper, Charlotte, Emerson, Brayden, Mayana and the late Parker. Dear sister of Bob (Mary Jo) Woelfel, Debbie (Tom) Koch, Ed (Barb) Woelfel and the late Karen Woelfel. Also survived by her nieces, nephews, other family and friends. Preceded in death by her parents Ed and Rose Woelfel. Passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Friday, March 8th at 66 years of age. 

Forever the Westsider, Maryann was born and raised in Cincinnati’s Price Hill neighborhood not far from the family’s parish, St. Lawrence. She would go on to attend Seton high school down the street and graduate in 1976. Maryann did not hesitate long to begin building her family as she married in 1979, had her first baby in 1981, and continued to have her six children within 8 years.

For the majority of her life, Maryann owned her motherly duties. You could find her coaching softball and volleyball to her daughters’ teams, volunteering at St. Dominic school functions, or racing around Delhi in one her several minivans picking up and dropping off her kids to practice. She was their biggest cheerleader and unquestionably a busy hard-working mother, making multitasking look much easier than it possibly could’ve been. Her dedication and support to her children’s endeavors would only evolve with time as she was promoted to “Nana” in 2008, a titled she proudly wore well to her grandchildren. She sacrificed her time to ensure her children had opportunities, and in the midst of all that coordination began earning her reputation as a second Mom to many of their friends.   

Maryann made the ambitious decision to return to school in 1993 and attended Mount St. Joseph University. She somehow managed to graduate with her Bachelor’s degree of Nursing Science while tending to her 6 kids, none old enough to have a driver’s license. Truly an amazing accomplishment for such a driven woman to achieve. As though that wasn’t enough, she returned to “The Mount” in obtain her Master’s in Education in 2015 while maintaining a 3.9 GPA. 

She then did something not many get a chance to do, she fell in love all over again when her childhood friend Debbie reintroduced her little brother, Rick. The two started out moving fast and it never let up. They were constantly being compared to “lovestruck 16-year-olds,” and their puppy love phase seemingly lasted until her last day. The fun times they had together were highlighted by going out on nice days for a ride on the Harley, countless trips with their camping buddies, and getaways to beaches. They religiously attended St. Lawrence mass on Sunday and followed it up with breakfast at Price Hill Chili.

Aside from her family, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) was the other major component of her life. Maryann worked there for almost 25 years until her retirement in 2022. She made her way through as a Registered Nurse, Charge Nurse, and finally Clinical Manager until her retirement in 2022. She absolutely loved her work and her CCHMC family. It was a tearful goodbye as she made the decision to retire in an effort to make time and care for herself as her journey with cancer was underway. 

Her diagnosis came on March 12, 2022, bringing a flood of emotions and fear as she began her journey into the unknown. Throughout it all, she made it very clear that her strength and will to continue came from the prayers, love, and support of her friends and family. This came in the form of text messages, encouraging comments on her “Kickin’ it with Boots” Facebook Page, handwritten cards, countless thoughtful gifts and flower deliveries, and the massive turnouts at ‘The Westside Warrior” golf outings.

Above all, Maryann was a woman of faith in God and Jesus Christ. She maintained she had no fear in dying, and it was that faith that guided her journey during her darkest times. She lived her life helping others while offering support and a safe space, and her unwavering love in the hardest times will forever be admired. While she will be dearly missed, her legacy will live on and always remember, “It’s a Good Day for a Great Day!”

Visitation will be at Meyer Funeral Home, 5864 Bridgetown Road, on MONDAY, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM.  All are welcome to attend the Mass of Christian Burial at St. Lawrence Church, 3680 Warsaw Ave., on TUESDAY at 10:00 AM. Per her wishes WEAR PURPLE! Condolences and flowers may be sent at www.bjmeyer.com