Helen M. Lester

Helen M. Lester, 92, Rockford, died Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center. She was born February 28, 1915, in Geary County, Kansas, the daughter of Albert and Agnes (Oliver) Moritz. She had lived in Rockford since 1969, coming from McLean, Virginia. Helen married Frank J. Lester in Washington D.C. on September 29, 1951. He died in Rockford on October 4, 2004. Helen was a secretary in the U.S. Maritime Commission from 1938 until 1952. Then she devoted herself to being a wife, mother, and homemaker. She attended Regina Caeli Priory in Rockford. Helen was very devoted to the Catholic Faith and the Traditional Latin Mass, and she had prayed the Rosary daily since her marriage to Frank in 1951. She and Frank had participated in the Pilgrim Virgin Statue devotion for over 20 years. Helen was interested in nutrition for decades before it was in vogue. Helen is survived by her daughter, Mary Frances Lester of Rockford; her son, Michael (Carole) Lester of Loves Park; granddaughters, Vanessa (Dan) Blankenship, Ashley (Jared) Jury, Alexandra, and Erin Rose; step granddaughter, Marcie Turner; great granddaughter, Chloe Blankenship and step great grandson, Chris Blankenship; two sisters, Rose Ann Fisher of Olathe, Kansas and Pearl Munyer of Sacramento, California; two brothers, Raymond (Frances) Moritz of Wichita, Kansas and Robert (Carol) Moritz of Blue Eye, Missouri; sister-in-law, Terry Moritz of California; numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents, two sisters, Irene Moritz and Edith Peyre and her brother, Warren Moritz. Requiem Mass will be at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, March 1, 2008, at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd., Rockford, Il 61108. Burial in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Visitation starting at 9:00 A.M. Saturday, with the Rosary at 10:00 A.M. Memorials may be made for Masses for the repose of her soul. To extend condolences to the family, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.