1923
2017
Helen Paquette was born in Ironwood, Michigan, in 1923, the middle child of seven children of Anna and Arthur Houle. After graduating from St. Ambrose High School, where she was homecoming queen and played on the basketball team, she moved to Washington, DC to work for the State Department as a secretary. After WWII, she worked at the American Legation in Switzerland and traveled throughout Europe; skiing the Swiss Alps, touring the great cathedrals, and visiting art galleries. Returning to the US, she worked for the Department of the Army in Denver, Anchorage, and Detroit, where she met and married her husband Clarence (Bud) Paquette, Jr. In 1969 they moved to Fairfax, Virginia, with their daughter, Patty.
In addition to being a smart, well-travelled, faith-filled and hard-working woman, Helen was also a gifted artist who studied at the Verve Gallery in Detroit, Michigan; the Detroit Art Institute; and the Famous Artists School of Westport, Connecticut. Her body of work includes still life, landscape, seascape, abstract, and portraits. She taught oil painting at the St. Francis School for Boys in Detroit, Michigan, and was a member of the Vienna Arts Society and the Fairfax Art League of Fairfax, Virginia. She was juried into numerous shows throughout Northern Virginia and won awards at many exhibits including 1998 “Best of Show” in the Annual Juried Show sponsored by the Fairfax Art League. A highlight of her artistic career was designing the cover of the 1975 edition of Story of a Soul, The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux.
Helen is survived by her daughter, Patty, son-in-law, Michael, her six beloved grandchildren Sarah, David, Theresa, Christopher, James and John, and two great-grandsons, Cayden and Alastair, as well as her brother-in-law Br. Bryan Paquette, her sister-in-law Francis Muszynski, (Bob) and numerous loved nieces and nephews and their children.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Demaine Funeral Home – Fairfax.
2 Entries
August 8, 2017
Mary Gallagher
Dear Patty and Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dear mother. I have heard about you and your wonderful family for years from your Uncle Brother Bryan, whom I've known since childhood. You and your family have been in my prayers and will continue to be. She was such an interesting woman!! Continued prayers, dear Patty. Sending a hug too! Mary Catherine Gallagher
August 2, 2017
Dear Patty, Michael and Family,
We are so truly sorry to learn of your mom's passing. She was a wonderful woman, great mother, loving grandmother, and talented artist. She was so blessed to have such a loving daughter and son-in-law caring for her until the end. I have so many fond memories of your mom. She was an amazing woman. God Bless you in the coming days and give you strength and peace knowing she has gone home to her loving Father.
Debbie and Bill Cahill
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