79, Oblong, IL
A celebration of Helen’s Life will be held March 15,2020 from 1 – 4 pm at the Crawford County Forest Preserve, Robinson, IL. Refreshments will be served. Burial will be at a later date.
In place of flowers the family requests that an expression of sympathy may take the form of a contribution to either the Oblong Food Pantry, LTC Theater Costuming Department or the Crawford County Humane Society with envelopes available. They may also be mailed to Pulliam Funeral Home, P.O. Box 121, Oblong, IL. 62449
Helen Elizabeth (Smith) Larrabee of Oblong, IL joined her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 6, 2020, aged 79 years.
Born in Oblong, IL on December 27, 1940, Helen was the daughter of Ocie V. Smith and Dorothy (Welsh) Smith. She graduated from Oblong Township High School in 1958. On her nineteenth birthday she married the love of her life: John F. Larrabee and recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Helen was a pillar of our family, and she always led through service. Her passions were many and powerful: one could marvel her garden or her scones with equal splendor, yet she would always take the time to share her expertise; her lessons resounded from Sunday School to Girl Scouts to sewing with the LTC theatre. Any question she couldn’t answer she would pursue with unbridled tenacity.
Her home was always open. She hosted annual events: Easter, 4 th of July, Halloween, and many more, elaborately yet meticulously decorating for each one. At Christmas her love for Christ and family shone like no other. Trees adorned every room, lights on every wall, a cornucopia on every table, and family and friends in every seat.
In private, she was no less intriguing. Never truly idle, puzzles and novels adorned her tables and a notebook of her poetry was always tucked away nearby. She loved watching the birds enjoy her garden and the Packers, Doctor Who, or Hallmark Channel on T.V.
Her granddaughters were her pride and joy. She loved to hear of each and every accomplishment, no matter how large or how small, but most of all she loved them, each of them special to her.
Her strength was unmatched. Backed by her unwavering faith, one would have hardly known her to be ill. She lived every day on her terms, and continued to pursue her passions as only she could. Her loss is great, but her inspiration greater. Her impact will echo for generations to come.
Helen is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Lisa and Tony Lockhart, Robinson; Mary Kathleen and Tom Moore, Oblong; four grandchildren, Heather Moore & fiancée Chris Sinks, Baltimore, MD.; Taylor (Lockhart) & Chris Wolf, Indianapolis, IN.; Jessica Moore, Oblong; Emily Lockhart, Evansville, IN.; one brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Marilyn Smith, New Kent, VA; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding Helen in death were her parents, brother, Ocie V. Smith Jr, sister, Vivienne Ackman.
