Helen Leora Woodley

Helen Leora Woodley, 98, of South Haven, passed away Thursday, September 29, 2016 at the River Ridge Retirement Community in South Haven. She was born February 4, 1918 to Edward and Leora (Burrows) Jensen in Covert. Helen married Robert Woodley in 1939 in Covert and shared 59 years of marriage until his passing in 1998.

She is preceded in death along with her parents and husband by siblings – Dorothy, Thelma, Irving, and Joan, grandchildren – Kris and Fred Markoski and great grandson – Benjamin.

Helen is survived by her children – Karen (Paul) Kiry of South Haven, Robert Woodley, Jr. of Kalamazoo, grandchildren – Karla (Jim) VanderRoest, Paul Kiry IV, Ryan (Melissa) Woodley, and Molly VanderRoest, and great grandchildren – Nathan VanderRoest, Jacob VanderRoest, Reese Woodley, and Miera Woodley. And of course, her beloved Chihuahua Maggie.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 2, 2016 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven. A memorial service will follow visitation at 5:00 PM with Rev. Jeffrey S. Dick officiating. A dinner will follow memorial services at the First Congregational Church UCC in South Haven, 651 Phoenix Street, South Haven, Michigan 49090. Contributions may be made in Helen's memory to the South Haven High School Instrumental Music Boosters,  600 Elkenburg Street, South Haven, Michigan 49090.