Helen Holland

Helen Holland, 89, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 18, 2022. Helen was born in Indianapolis on January 14, 1933, to her parents, Edward and Marie (Shea) Curry.

Helen attended St. Agnes Academy and went on to DePauw University to obtain a degree in Education. She later returned to school to obtain a Master’s degree in Child Development from Butler University. She taught elementary school in Washington and Wayne Townships where from all reports, she was her students’ “favorite teacher.”

On August 25, 1956, Helen married Warren Holland, the love of her life. Warren would often say that he had his eye on her since their days together at Joan of Arc where she would play the piano at school assemblies.

Helen and Warren were members of St. Lawrence Catholic Church. They helped establish the Saint Lawrence Blessed Sacrament Chapel where Helen spent countless hours in prayer.

Helen lived a life of grace. She brings to mind the passage from Matthew’s Gospel:

He called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, “Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and whoever receives one child such as this in my name receives me.”

Helen’s life reflected an essential sweetness, simplicity, humility, and childlike dependence on the goodness of God. She was ever eager to make others feel welcome, appreciated, and loved. For years she carried with her a bottle of water from Lourdes and was quick to dab her finger with the water and bless anyone who was willing.  She carried a collection of prayer cards of St. Theresa of Lisieux, the Little Flower, who was known for her Little Way which Helen did her best to follow – not worrying about doing great things but focused on doing small things with great love. She instilled in her children and grandchildren an appreciation of their God-given gifts and encouraged them to choose career paths dedicated to the service of others.

In her final years, when she was no longer able to pray aloud or reach out with a blessing or prayer card, she blessed those around her with her smile and a gleam in her eye as she blew them kisses.

Reflecting on her love, her spirit and her faithfulness, it is clear that her life itself had become a prayer. In the words of one of her favorite poems, her days had become “bound each to each by natural piety.”

She is survived by her sister, Martha Morey, her children Michael Holland (Dolores), Ceil Hanley (Mike), Danny Holland, Gretchen Etling (Joe); grandchildren Dolores Murphy (John), Joseph Holland (Danielle), Marianne Caltrider (Steven), Shane Hanley (Marlene), Shea Hanley, Kit Hanley, Grace Hanley, Joey Etling (Allison), Mary Kate Hartman (Collin), Danny Etling, Meaghan Etling, Gretchen Anne Etling; great-grandchildren JJ Murphy, Lola Murphy, Joey Murphy, Taylor Etling, Holland Caltrider, Steven Caltrider, Helen Caltrider, and Holland Hartman.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband, Warren, and her grandson, Ryan Hanley. Visitation and funeral mass will take place on Wednesday, December 28^th at Our Lady of Peace Chapel, 9001 Haverstick Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. to be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Following the mass, Helen will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery.