Helen Marie Appelbaum

Helen Marie Appelbaum (nee Barbier), left us on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the age of 87.  Beloved wife of Edward Appelbaum Sr.  Loving mother of Lauri (Julie Tilsen) Appelbaum, Edward (Laura) Appelbaum Jr., Susan (Doug) Kern, Julie (Vance) Lanig, and John (Lauren) Appelbaum.  Cherished grandmother of Daniel and Nick Appelbaum; Jessica (Doug) England and Jamie (Trenton) Hency; Alex (Kade) Bolen, Drew Lanig, Melia Lanig, Lorri and Spencer Lanig; and Elizabeth and Jack Appelbaum.  Adoring great grandmother of Haven, Storie, Crue, and Delta Bolen; and Reid Michael Hency.  Beloved sister of Judy (Hank) Morris and Bud (Diane) Barbier, and the late Diane (Jim) Holterman, Jeanne (Bill) Duke, Dave (Eulah) Barbier, and Kathleen Barbier.  Cherished daughter of the late Clarence and Catherine (Molloy) Barbier.  Wonderful aunt, great aunt, sister-in-law, cousin, neighbor, and friend.

Helen was born December 29, 1935, and lived in North St. Louis until 1940, when her family moved to the new suburb of Mary Ridge.  Helen was third of seven children.  She attended St. Gregory’s Catholic Church and school, St. Mary’s High School, then later attended and graduated from Ritenour High School.  Helen worked at Kresge’s in Wellston while in high school, and worked as a secretary for National Life Insurance.  Helen married Edward Appelbaum Sr. June 20, 1959, and dedicated her life to raising their family of five children, living in the suburbs of Creve Coeur and St. John’s, then moving to Columbia MO in 1977, and returning to St. Louis County in 1984.  Helen and Ed eventually moved to St. Peters MO in 1997, where they settled into the community, and enjoyed spending time with family, neighbors, and friends.    

Helen was an avid reader, she always had a book going, especially a romance novel, and always said that the library was her favorite place.  She loved butterflies, and rainbows, and loved decorating the family home with bright colors.  She enjoyed Christmas crafts, and crocheting, with her sisters and friends.  She was involved in many of her kids’ and grandkids’ activities as they grew up, including volunteering at the summer park program at Woodson Terrace, and attending countless school performances and athletic events.  She was actively involved in the Women’s Guild at St. Williams Church, where the family attended mass and the kids attended school.  For Helen, her husband and family came first, and she did it all, as a stay-at-home mom.   Helen will be dearly missed by all who knew her, her absence leaves a huge hole in many lives. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 6, 2024, 2-5pm, at the All Saints Catholic Church, Annex, 7 McMenamy Rd., St. Peters MO.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s memory may be made to The Butterfly House https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/plan-your-visit/family-of-attractions/butterfly-house/ways-to-give  and to the St. Charles County Library https://www.stchlibrary.org/ways-donate