Helen Creahan Hein

January 11, 1924 - August 24, 2024

Helen, affectionately known as Tutu by her loved ones, was born to Jack and Mabel Creahan in Cleveland, Ohio. At the age of two she moved with her family to Southern California and resided there throughout her youth. After marrying Charles Hein in 1946 she moved to Merced. It was there that she welcomed her seven beloved children into the world. With them, she moved to Fresno in 1965. While raising her family she worked as a teacher at Marshall School in Fowler for more than 20 years, touching the lives of hundreds of students along the way.

Helen's life was marked by a deep and abiding faith in Christ Jesus and she remained a faithful member of His body the Church her entire life. She had a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother, and prayed the rosary frequently and fervently. She could often be found with a rosary in her hands. Whenever possible she attended daily Mass and served in her parish by visiting the homebound and participating in retreats and prayer groups. Her goal in life was to love the Lord with her whole heart and she strove ardently to pass the faith to all she met, most especially her children and grandchildren.

Next to the Lord, Helen's great love was for her family. As the matriarch of a large family, she remained a constant guiding and supportive presence in their lives - offering words of advice, consolation, and love. With humility, gentleness, and humor she taught her family the importance of faith, trust in divine providence, the power of forgiveness, and patient endurance in suffering. Those lessons will surely remain present in their hearts, even as they mourn her passing. Though confident that the Divine Mercy of the Lord guided her peacefully to the love of the Father, they will undoubtedly miss the warmth of her presence on earth.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Jim, and John '39, her husband Charlie, and her beloved daughter Jennifer Kilgore. She leaves behind her children and their spouses, Margie and Loren Ransier, Mimi Kent, Katie and Anthony Andrade, Charlie and Greta Hein, John and Janet Hein, Stephen and Mary Ann Hein; along with 15 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Chapel of the Light, 2024