Helen Norwood, 1919-2007

Published Friday, December 21, 2007

Helen Thomas McLean Wagner Norwood, 88, of Columbia died Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007, in Columbia.

She had been a resident of Columbia for most of her life.

A small graveside service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, in Middletown.

She was born in Montgomery County on March 14, 1919.

Her life was filled with love and laughter.

She graduated valedictorian from Middletown High School and received her teaching degree from Truman State University in Kirksville. She taught for several years in one-room schools of rural north and central Missouri.

Helen served as the Boone County civil defense director from the late 1950s to the late 1960s and was instrumental in procuring the funding to install the first emergency siren system and shelters for Columbia and the surrounding community. During that time she also taught bridge to the elderly at Columbia’s first senior community center.

She was a compassionate advocate for the disabled and disadvantaged and an active volunteer in communities in Missouri, Iowa, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts and Tennessee.

She served at PTA president, Cub Scout leader, Campfire Girls leader, Brownie leader, Sunday school teacher, poll worker and president of various garden and other civic clubs.

Among her many interests were reading, ballroom dancing, piano playing, quilting, playing bridge, painting, gardening and antique collecting. During her life she enjoyed living in many different areas of the country but always considered Columbia her home.

Survivors include her children, Les McLean Wagner and Mary Rebecca "Becky" Wagner, both of Columbia, and Ginger Theresa Wagner Jones of Springfield; her sister, Amanda Ann McLean Conwell of Frederick, Md., daughter-in-law Molly Wagner; son-in-law David C. Jones of Springfield; her grandchildren, Boone Wagner, Brie Wagner Anger, Audrey Wagner and Leslie Wagner, all of Columbia, and Samuel Jones of Springfield; niece Phyllis Conwell Mussman and nephew Bert McLean, both of Frederick, niece Gloria McLean of New York City, and nephews Joel and Andy Shor of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; her great-grandchildren, Amaris Wagner, Ayla Anger and Esme Anger, all of Columbia; stepdaughter Vickie Norwood Cramer and stepson Bryan Norwood of Columbia; and numerous great-nieces and -nephews.

Helen was preceded in death by her first husband, Willard John Wagner of Kirksville; her second husband, Presley Norwood of Fulton; and three brothers, Ralph McLean, Richard McLean and Bert McLean.

The family requests that donations be made to the Boone County Family Resource Center or the charity of one’s choice in lieu of flowers.