Helen Jensen
August 12, 1932 ~ November 24, 2004
Helen M. Jensen (Crimmins) of San Antonio, Texas, formerly of Summerville, South Carolina and Brick, New Jersey, died Wednesday, November 24th, 2004 at Northeast Methodist Hospital in Live Oak, Texas at the age of 72.
Born on August 12th, 1932 in New York City, New York, Helen was a petite, no-nonsense woman with a steel exterior that held a heart of gold. She had great love and respect for God and Country, serving with honor as a Civil Servant at both Lakehurst Naval Air Station and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.
In 1990, Helen moved to the Charleston, South Carolina area to be with her son David, who became her dedicated and loving caregiver for 14 years. Charleston was the perfect place for her to live because of her fascination with Civil War history. An intelligent and self educated woman, Helen realized her goal of becoming a college graduate in 1992 when she graduated with honors from the Mansfield Business College (Charleston Campus) of Columbia, South Carolina. Because of her failing health, she and David moved to San Antonio in August, 2004 to be close to her son Bob and his family.
A talented seamstress and embroiderer, Helen made clothes for her children and grandchildren, with matching outfits for their favorite dolls. She was also a voracious reader with a fondness for western stories, and was delighted to visit the Alamo in San Antonio just a few weeks before her death.
Helen approached every obstacle in her life with a tough-as-nails attitude and an unwavering faith in her Lord, Jesus Christ. These were her sword and shield as she battled lung cancer for many years, a disease she viewed with more annoyance than fear. Nicknamed 'Little Napoleon' many years ago by a family friend, Helen laid down her sword and shield, and went peaceably home to be with her Savior while holding the hands of her sons, Bob and David.
Helen is survived by her five children, Peter Jensen of Brick, New Jersey; Linda Pasqua of Suffolk, Virginia; Reverend (Dr.) Robert (Bob) Jensen and his wife Karen of San Antonio, Texas. David Jensen of San Antonio, Texas; and Donna Triolo and her husband Anthony of Brick, New Jersey. She is also survived by six grandchildren; Michael, Bobby, Katie, Melanie, Sean and Olivia, whom she called 'her babies.'
Helen's son Bob, officiated her 'Homegoing Celebration' on Friday, November 26th, 2004 at Meadowlawn Memorial Park and Crematory in San Antonio, Texas.
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Dear David, Bob and Donna, Just a note of appreciation for allowing me to be a part of your mother’s final tribute. It is my job to make this time for you a little less painful. Please call on me anytime if I may be of further assistance. Very truly yours, Craig Cates Meadowlawn Park and Crematory
Mom – Karen, Sean & I miss you. We will cherish these past four months that you & David were able to live near us in San Antonio. We know in our hearts you are with the Lord & that one day we’ll see each other again. I was proud to be your son because you instilled in me the determination to pursue anything I set my heart on. It was you that told me to honor my commitment when I first joined the Air Force in 1979, even when I wanted to quit before even getting out of technical school. Mom, after 25+ years in the Air Force, I believe I’ve honored my commitment. I wish you could be with me & my family physically during my retirement ceremony in June; however, I know you & Nan will be with me in spirit. We’ll take good care of David as he took good care of you for 14 years. We love & miss you Mom. Absent from the body is to be in the presence of the Lord. We’ll see you again! Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus!
Mom, I know we have had some ups and downs these 14years together but in retrospect I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I believe we have both taught each other patience and you taught me something I didn’t have early in my life and that is to love. Thank you. I love you and miss you greatly and can’t wait to see you again.
Bob: What a beautiful way to rememer a remarkable woman who will live on in her children and grandchildren. I am so sorry she is gone now but rejoice that she continues on in the presence of the Lord. May the Lord keep you and your family at peace during this difficult time. Sincerely, Debbie Martinez
Capt J and family…Our deepest condolences go out to you as you grieve mom’s absence. This transition is occasion to rejoice; she is pain free/celebrating with her Lord. Our prayers are with you. Rick
Bob, My prayers are with during this difficult time for your family. I hope you can take comfort in the fact that your mom was able to live close to you for the last few months, and that she was finally healed without suffering too much. What a celebration there must have been in Heaven this weekend! Every Thanksgiving, I hope you’ll remember the gift of peace our Lord gave to your mother by bringing her home to be with Him. I know Karen, Sean and David will all be a great comfort to you (and you to them) during the upcoming holiday season. God bless all of you. Love, Liz
What little I know of Helen comes from what I have learned from being a freind of her son Bob. His excellent testimony of Christ’s work in his life is also a testiment to his mother. God Bless.
I know God will bless the Jensen family as Miss Helen enters her peace in Heaven. She sounds like she was a wonderful faithful woman, and I look forward to meeting her some day! Cheryl Wells and Family, friends in Christ of Captain Bob Jensen.
Bob, My prayers are with you and your family as you go through this difficult time. Take comfort, as she is finally at peace, and experiencing the rewards God ultimately intends for all of us in Heaven. Matthew 5:12 tells us to “rejoice, for our reward is great in Heaven”. I’m sure it is indeed an incredible celebration. Praise God! Mike
Mom- You recognised my artistic gifts when I was very young and had always encouraged my talent. You had joked with me about being a “starving artist” and that I should learn to type and take dictation as a back-up. Well, I never did learn to type very well, the only dictation I can do is dictate chores to my husband, and I’m not making a fortune as an artist, either. But I do have a wealth of awards in my portfolio and a piece of artwork hanging in the Pentegon. You told me you were proud of me and that I’m a good mother, and this is better than any award or salary. I will continue to be a person that you can be proud of. Thank you for your strength; by your example, I have become a strong woman. I ‘ll remember the late-night talks in the teenage years when we’d start off yelling, and end up laughing. You know what I’m talking about. (Giggle). I’ll miss you, but I will see you every day when I look at Olivia. I see alot of you in her, so I know she’ll be one tough cookie. Thanks, Mom, for more than you know. Donna
Hi Bob, I’m sorry for your loss, but share in the joy of knowing “Mom” is pain free and rejoicing in Heaven now! Mercy Me says it best, “I can only imagine”. Rich
I am So sorry to hear about your loss. Words cannot say what I would like to express or what I feel. I know the loss you feel for I lost my Mom in 1987. You can be comforted in the Blessed Hope that will occur on Resurection Day. When we will all be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our prayers continue to be with you and your family.
Bob, David and family, We love and care for you all with all our hearts. Your family is in our prayers. We also, know and trust that the King of Kings will make a way through the low times that you will face. He is faithful and will make a way every time. Its a new day and time for Helen. She faces eternity without pain or worry. Yes, she free, free indeed. You all could not want more than that for your Mom. Praise His Holy Name.
Bob and Karen (Sean too) I’m so sorry to hear about you losing your Mom. I will be praying for God to give you the peace needed to get through the coming days. Love you guys, Nancy
David and family Sorry to hear of your loss. But remember your loss is heavens gain. I’m sure you look forward to a wonderful reunion that is to come. I pray the Lord continue to give you great peace during this time. Truely He is the Great Comforter.
Bob, My prayers are with you and your family. Your faith in God has done so much for me – and I know this has gotten you through this tough time. You’re in my prayers!! Jiri
My prayers are with the family. I had the priviledge of getting to know Helen during her stay in Charleston. The one thing that stands out the most was her love for her family. She was a mom with a great deal of love and pride for her children. She was a great person and friend. I pray she is at peace with our Lord Jesus forever.
To The Family Of Helen, I have come to learn of your beautiful mother through her son Bob. On 8/17/2003, my son Corey (20) & his wife of less than 3 months Michelle (22)were killed in an A/A in AZ. Somehow, maybe through the grace of God, Bob found the memorial site for Corey & Michelle and reached out to me in my grief. His caring and support is a true testament to his mother Helen. It shows me what a fine, loving and principled woman she was and I am sure she was so proud of all her children. The loss of our loved ones is never easy and we will forever carry them in our hearts and minds for the rest of our lives. I have deep appreciation to Helen for the fine son she raised in Bob. His compassion is a reflection of what a wonderful mother Helen was. May God Bless you all and I pray that Helen has met my Corey and Michelle in heaven and is taking care of them until I can do so again. Your family will be in my prayers always. Donna-Corey’s Mom Forever In Loving Memory of Corey & Michelle James http://www.coreyandmichelle.com http://www.mem.com
We were deeply touched by knowing your mother. She never failed to surprise anybody. I know she will be dearly missed. We think of ya’ll often. Marshall and Anne Tyler