Mrs Helen Jeanne Coulter Henehan's Obituary
Helen Jeanne (“Jeannie”) Coulter Henehan passed away on December 10, 2014 in Redlands, CA at the age of 92. Jeannie was born on December 1, 1922 in Stratford, Iowa, to Ernest and Belva Coulter. She graduated from Melcher High School and attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. Once WWII began she joined the Civil Service, working at the Army Air Base in Grand Island, NE from the summer of 1943 through the end of 1944. While in Grand Island, she met her future husband, James E. (“Jim”) Henehan, who preceded her in death in 2009. While her fiancé was serving in the South Pacific, she moved to San Bernardino to work at the San Bernardino Air Base, later to be known as Norton Air Force Base. She and Jim were married on February 12, 1946, shortly after his return from the Pacific, and began their 63 years of marriage in Boston, MA. Her husband was recalled to active duty with the US Air Force in late 1950 during the Korean Conflict and, ironically, was stationed at Norton Air Force Base. After his discharge they decided to make San Bernardino their home, purchased a new home in the north end and moved into it in November, 1953 before moving to Highland in 1987.
She spent the next 61 years as a loving wife, nurturing mother, caring and entertaining grandmother and great grandmother, and as she used to say “up to my eyeballs” in volunteer work. Over the years she was active in a multitude of organizations (in addition to PTA, Campfire Girls, Cub Scouts, Little League, Pony League, Colt League and Pop Warner) including Alpha Chi Omega Alumni, Panhellenic, American Cancer Society, and the Inland Empire Symphony Guild. She served as president of the St. Bernardine Hospital Auxiliary, was a member of the AFS Foreign Exchange Program and for two years as president of San Bernardino Republican Women. When they moved to Plymouth Village in 2002, she was an active member of Redlands Republican Women’s Club and chairman of the Plymouth Village Employees’ Christmas Fund. Jeannie was a member of Trinity Evangelical Church, a participant and teacher of many Bible Studies including Bible Study Fellowship. She loved to dance, travel and laugh! She is survived by her daughter: Kathy Neyses of TX, two sons: Jim Henehan of Cerritos and Joe Henehan of Redlands, eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held Monday, December 29, 2014 2:00PM at Plymouth Village, 945 W. Salem Dr, Redlands.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Plymouth Village Foundation, 900 W. Salem Dr., Redlands, CA 92373 or to a charity of your choosing.
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