Helen Irene Quackenbush

Helen Irene Laugherty Foster Quackenbush, 88 of Abilene, passed away at a local hospital on March 18, 2016. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, March 24th in the Chapel at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St. A time of visitation with the family will be held prior to the service, from 10am-11am.

Helen was born in Knoxville, Tennessee on January 6, 1928 to Henry Earnest and Margaret Irene Turner Laugherty. She was raised in Knoxville but shortly after May 8, 1945 (Victory in Europe Day) she moved to Rock Island, Illinois with her husband and it was there that she lived from the time she was 18 until her 80th birthday when she moved to Abilene.

Although much of her younger years were spent raising her two daughters, Helen also worked outside the home in various retail stores. She had an easy smile and quick wit, and she never met a stranger which made her uniquely suited for her career. Helen loved her family and enjoyed playing cards and board games with them. She was an avid reader and she created many beautiful projects using her crochet skills. During the past 8 years in Abilene, Helen had become an active member of Highland Church of Christ and enjoyed her time with her special group of senior friends who call themselves “the YaYas”.

Surviving Helen are her daughter Carla Foster McDonald, former son-in-law (and caregiver) Steven Foster McDonald, sister-in-law Evelyn Frump; grandchildren, Paul Foster McDonald, David McDonald-Bonar and husband Troy Bonar, Michael Gary Foster, John Patrick Foster, Kristina Marie Foster, Daniel Eugene Foster, and Elizabeth Foster Reimink, as well as 9 great grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter. She is also survived by her cousin, Barbara June Woods. Preceding her in death are her parents, a daughter Myrna Foster, a brother Bob Laugherty and a sister Emmie Dockins.

The family requests that donations be made in honor of Helen to Christian Homes and Family Services at http://christianhomes.com/. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.