Helen McVey
Roxana | Save
Helen Joanne McVey, 89, of Roxana, Illinois, passed away peacefully Saturday
morning, August 15, 2020, in her home with family and her loving husband
Donald by her side.
Helen was born April 8, 1931, in Litchfield, IL, to the late Kenneth and Gladys
Nail. She attended Roxana High School and Shurtleff College in Alton, IL. Helen
married her high school sweetheart Donald McVey on November 25, 1951, who
called her 'the prettiest girl in school.'
Helen was employed as a secretary at the Brown Shoe Company in St. Louis,
Missouri, and secretary to the treasurer of the Olin Corporation in East Alton, IL.
Helen was an adoring wife and dedicated mother. She treasured her husband
and her children and embraced every moment with them. She especially
cherished her role as Grandma. She had a vivacious personality and wonderful
sense of humor. She loved singing and was a member of the Sweet Adelines
ladies barber shop quartet of Alton, IL. She also enjoyed quilting, playing the
piano, watching St. Louis Cardinals baseball, and was an active member of Faith
Baptist Church in Godfrey, Illinois.
Helen is survived by her husband Donald, her four children (and their spouses),
Kent & Laura McVey of Topsail Beach, NC, Lisa & Dale Johnson of Littleton, CO,
Mark & Darla McVey of Hanover Park, IL, and Dana McVey of Cornelius, NC, her
16 grandchildren: Brenda Martin, Chessie Martinez, Joanna Malm, Matthew
Johnson, Timothy Johnson, Laura Johnson, Mark Johnson, Nathan Johnson,
Bethany Johnson, Christina Johnson, Kyle McVey, Jason McVey, Emily Taylor,
Kate Plummer, Marissa McVey-Plummer, and her 13 great-grandchildren:
Timothy, Madyline, Breydon, Michael, Parker, Albert, Ginger, Charles, Eric, Zoe,
Hayley, Daniel, and David'all of whom she loved and touched deeply. Helen
was preceded in death by her parents.
A memorial service was held for family on Monday, August 17, 2020, at Bethany
Cemetery in Godfrey, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to
Mississippi Valley Christian School.
