Helena Ann (Riegel) Hoff Noel
September 8, 1934 ~ August 2, 2020
Helena Ann (Riegel) Hoff Noel, 85, passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2020 after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Helena was born on September 8, 1934 in Indianapolis to the late Bernard George and Anna (Brewer) Riegel.
Helena attended St. Catherine of Siena grade school and spent a year studying at St. Mary of the Woods in Terre Haute, Indiana before attending St. Mary Academy in Indianapolis from which she graduated in 1952. Helena spent the majority of her professional years working for Trans World Airlines in different capacities, including being the first female Agent in Charge at Weir Cook Airport. Helena retired from Trans World Airlines after 40 years of dedication.
Helena loved music, studying vocal music in school, singing in the chorus of Starlight Musicals in the 1950’s, and always singing in church choirs wherever she lived. She continued cantoring and singing in her church choir until she left Florida in 2015. Helena had a very caring spirit and enjoyed volunteer work. She volunteered at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Our Daily Bread- Soup Kitchen, and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium all in Sarasota, Florida. Helena had 25 years of dedicated volunteer work at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.
Helena was preceded in death by her first husband and the father of her children, Dale Edward Hoff. Helena married Dale on October 17, 1953. She was preceded in death by her second husband, Leonard Noel. Helena married Leonard on August 13, 1982.
Along with her parents, Helena was also preceded in death by her brothers, Bernard and Joseph Riegel; her sister, Dolores (Riegel) Keller; and her grandson, Nathaniel Brooking.
Survivors include her children, Catherine (Don) Worley, Rebecca (Kerry) Blandford, Diann (Dean) Halvorson, and Michael (Amy) Hoff; her grandchildren, Gabriel (Misty) Brooking, Belinda (Dave) Frederick, Nicholas (Stephanie) Blandford, Kaitlyn Blandford, Matthew (Katie) Blandford, Margaret (Aaron) Smith, Curt Halvorson, Ella Hoff; 6 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren; her brothers, John (June) Riegel and Robert Riegel; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 14, 2020 at 12:30 P.M. in St. Mark Catholic Church, 535 East Edgewood Avenue, Indianapolis. Calling will take place on Friday morning prior to mass from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. in the O’Riley Funeral Home, 6107 South East Street, Indianapolis. Inurnment will follow the Mass on Friday in Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, The Parkinson’s Foundation, The Institute of Quality Education Scholarship, or Our Daily Bread- Soup Kitchen; envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.
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Daisies in memory of Helena Ann (Riegel) Hoff Noel
Helena and I were friends since the 40’s, grew up together, grew old together, and will meet in heaven someday soon. I loved her dearly, My Best Friend…..
So many good memories of Aunt Helena. She was always so glamorous with her TWA uniform and traveling the world. That was so cool to me because (like many back in the day), I had never been on an airplane. She always had a warm smile and an infectious laugh. When my kids were little and she visited, she would always be down on the ground playing with them. My mom would always talk about how beautiful her sister’s voice was…even literally a few weeks before she died of Alzheimers and Parkinson’s. I remember talking with Aunt Helena after mom died and she wanted to know what it was like at the end. I was able to reassure her that it was peaceful and relatively painless. She had a difficult road in life at times but always leaned on a merciful Jesus. Well done good and faithful servant! Now your voice is one with all the Angels and Saints glorifying God for all eternity. I will miss you! Anne Carmody (Keller)
Thank you for your lovely memories Ann. We rejoice knowing the sisters and brothers are enjoying the Kingdom together
The children of Bernard and Anna Riegel were like no other. Grandma Riegel raised them with such an amazing amount of faith, that their love of God and knowing there was something even better awaiting them is what gives me the most comfort. As Aunt Helena aged, she reminded me more and more of Grandma Riegel with her white hair, sweet and genuine smile and her laugh. I am sure that my parents (Joe and Judy) were there to greet her at heaven’s gate and that dad and her are singing in heaven’s choir.
Thank you so much Ann…She did always speak about you as such a great friend.
Thank you, Kathleen. She defintely taught her love of music to me….And yes very much like Grandma. Along with your parents all are missed.
Prayers are with you, Becky and all the family.
Helena raised the kindest & most respectful son-in-law we could ever ask for.
Remember that we love and care about you.
I have many fond memories of Aunt Helena. I always enjoyed visiting with her and am especially glad that I was able to bring mom and dad to see her last year. I will always remember her beautiful smile and warm personality. I also remember having the opportunity to hear her cantor at Mass when we were visiting her in Florida, what a beautiful voice! Sending love to Cathy, Becky, Mike, Diann and your families. Eternal rest grant unto her oh Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.
I am almost at a loss for words due to my self-serving grief over the loss of my beautiful and remarkable sister Helena Ann. With only human experience, it is difficult to focus on the fact that she has quite successfully fulfilled her brief trial on this earth in accordance with Gods plan, to love him and to serve others, so that she will be in Almighty Gods presence forever, and ever, and ever! Well done my beloved sister! Unaware until I learned earlier this week that I have this format to express my condolences to my godson Mike and all other children and their families (and to Delores’family if I may), I was tearful when I read the beautiful sentiments of others, such as my dear niece Ann (Keller) Carmody. The combination of my grief & Parkinson deter me from saying more. My deepest love to all of our family & friends. John Riegel.
I remember going to the Indy. track with Helena and Dale. Way up the steps the cooler (full of bottles and ice) lost a handle, and the contents rained down on the fans below. They were not happy (at least it was a hot day, when better to have cool beer)? 58 years ago Helena was Matron of Honor at my wedding to her brother John. One of the happiest days of my life. Helena was devoted to her family. She became a part in my becoming a Catholic in 2007. my condolences to all of her family and friends! A donation to the Little Sisters of the Poor has been made in her memory. June Riegel