1918
2010
Quiet, reserved and logical are trademark qualities that friends and family might use to describe Helen Bosse. Helen was an intuitive person. She was the type of person who could comfortably get lost in her thoughts, someone who had tremendous problem solving abilities. Always conscientious and focused on details, Helen was a person who loved to imagine the possibilities of life.
She was the daughter of John and Margaret (Peck) Armstrong. She was raised in Cincinnati. Helen did not have to surround herself with people to be content. She was the type of person who enjoyed being alone rather than be part of a large crowd. She could be content for hours in some activity or be lost in her own imagination.
Helen was adaptable and had good listening skills which she would use to her advantage when it came to family life. She had three siblings - an older brother John, an older sister Ruth, and a younger sister Lee. She rarely shied away from family discussions. She would debate with her siblings but if it turned into an argument, Helen would often turn it into an agreement. In general, the family got along well and shared many memorable experiences.
In grade school, Helen gravitated toward others who shared similar interests and enjoyed academics more than physical activity. She was always curious about what made things work, and she would excel at the things that called more for "brain" power. Helen took part in hop scotch, swimming, baseball and running (track). She delighted in the projects that required planning, exploration and solution. Helen's memorable achievements included musical productions, drama and plays. As was evident by those who knew her, her most fun was to be found in books and in research.
During high school, Helen excelled at the challenge of learning and was especially good at taking tests and exams. She could delight more in problem solving than in the more routine school work. As long as the intellectual challenges kept coming, Helen was happy. She attended Hughes High School, but graduated from Woodward High School in 1936. Her favorite classes in high school were Drama and English. The teachers she enjoyed learning from the most were Proctor and Gamble. She was very good academically throughout her high school years.
Helen finally found connection and fulfillment when on November 20, 1943; she exchanged wedding vows with Earl William Bosse at the Helen and Earl were married at minister's home whose living room picture window overlooked the bay of San Francisco, California. Earl was influential in Helen's life and brought a dimension of emotion and feelings to a woman who mostly lived in her intellect. Helen grew, blossomed and became more balanced because of their love and compassion.
Helen was a hard worker and a good provider who loved her family even though she wasn't very demonstrative. Helen was blessed with three children, a son, Richard, and two daughters, Phyllis and Patti. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Kirsten, Blake, Whitney and Rian. Helen's sense of fun was often unleashed in her puns and witty, intelligent quips. It delighted her when the children and grandchildren would banter back and forth with her in this brainy exchange of mind contests. The children always knew how much Helen loved them.
Finding the right type of job can be a challenge for anyone, but that was especially true for Helen Bosse. She needed to find a career that would challenge her. Her primary occupation was Homemaker in addition to her many jobs away from home. She was employed at the Cincinnati Playing Card Company, Curtiss Wright Aeronautical, and at the Naval Air Station and Boat Dock at Alameda, CA. Helen was a dedicated and valued employee and was respected by her colleagues for her ability to grasp and understand difficult concepts.
Helen saw "action" during World War II as an aeronautical inspector, a "Rosie the Riveter". Helen was an asset to the military system. She had the ability to appreciate the logic necessary to succeed in a regimented life style.
Hobbies were more than fun for Helen because she challenged herself to learn the theory behind the actual activity. Knowing how things worked was more incentive than just performing and completing the task. Her favorite pursuits were cooking, watching old movies, writing poetry, needlework, beading, and sewing. Helen loved to read and instilled this habit in all her children.
Helen found great pleasure by relaxing and watching sports on TV or in person. She was an avid student of the game and enjoyed comparing her ideas and choices with what actually happened during the game. Even though she generally would keep her feelings to herself, Helen would often use athletic events and sports as an outlet. In high school, Helen was involved in running track, swimming and as a lifeguard. Recreational sports included walking and exercising. She also enjoyed just being a sports fan. Tops on her list was The Cincinnati Reds.
Friends and acquaintances usually viewed Helen as the brains behind the operation and using this talent, she contributed a great deal to the many organizations to which she belonged. Her own ability to adapt actually helped those around her to come up with creative approaches to a variety of situations. Helen worked hard once she became committed to a goal, and she was a strong contributor whenever it came to the planning process. In high school, Helen was a member of the Drama and Acting Club. Throughout her later years, Helen was an active member of the PTA and a director of school plays, as well as a Cub Scout leader, Brownie and Girl Scout leader, and a Sunday School and Bible School teacher. She became a valued and a contributing member of each volunteer organization.
Any number of community organizations were glad to have Helen as part of their group. She was able to bring a very high level of intelligence and involvement to these organizations. Helen was sought out to be a part of these groups because of her ability to take a strong course of action and to evaluate any issue that faced the organization, serving on committees for her Church groups and Church retreats.
Helen's strong sense of faith helped her remain focused on the needs and concerns of others. These values brought her strength and helped to reinforce the importance of both her faith and the practice of her religion. She was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Knollwood, Ohio, as well as a member of Methodist Churches in Forest Park and Berea, Ohio, and in Idaho Falls, Idaho. During that time, she was active in Bible School, Sunday School and church retreats.
Travel was a luxury for Helen and something that she took great pleasure in doing. Helen was at her best in the planning stages, as she did research and learned all about the places that she would be visiting. She wasn't as fond of dealing with the actual organizing, but once she put together all of the information, she was more than happy to turn it all over to someone else and let them put together the itinerary. Favorite vacations included travels in the United States as well as Mexico, Alaska, Canadian Rockies, Panama Canal, Bahamas, St Croix, Hawaii and Europe (England, Scotland, Spain, Italy, France and Germany before the Wall had fallen).
Helen especially enjoyed time with her pets. She could spend hours in private thought, and her faithful companion would just sit by her side or in her lap. One of Helen's favorites was Desi, a toy poodle. They were best friends for 8 years. Her family was rounded out by her parakeets.
Helen planned well for retirement so when it finally arrived in 1971, she was well prepared. She worked out many of the details in advance so that she could enjoy the time and not have to worry. Her new life involved relocating to Boca Raton. In retirement, she found new pleasure in pursuing new adventures together with Earl. They bought property and build a new home, and enjoyed extensive travel together.
Helen Bosse passed away on February 22, 2010 at Boca Raton Community Hospital. Helen was the victim of a stroke. She is survived by her husband Earl Bosse, her son Richard Bosse, and her two daughters Phyllis Trettien and Patti Lobbett. Services were held at St Paul's Episcopal Church in Delray Beach, FL. Helen was laid to rest in the VA National Cemetery in Lake Worth, FL.
Those who knew and loved Helen will miss her quiet gentleness, her curiosity and her ability to often turn work situations into fun experiences. She leaves all those who knew her with many wonderful memories.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3 Entries
February 20, 2011
Phyllis Trettien
You are the light in my heart.
February 20, 2011
Phyllis Trettien
I miss you so much, Mom.
You are the light in my heart.
And you are ever loved.
August 10, 2010
Patti Lobbett
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