Helen Ruth Pierce (nee Leedy), 77, died Friday evening, Dec. 5, 2014 at Hope Hospice House in Fort Myers. She lived a life rich in faith, joy and gratitude, never in judgment of others or with pretensions of any kind. She was thoughtful and straightforward, always engaged and engaging, quick to laugh, generous with her embrace and welcoming to all. She never forgot anyone or anything, and no one who was fortunate to eat them ever forgot her holiday noodles.
Helen was born and grew up in Jackson, Ohio, played the trombone and glockenspiel at Jackson High School and earned a teaching certificate from Ohio University at Athens. She taught elementary school in Chillicothe, Ohio, before marrying Ron Pierce in 1957. Together with their business partners, mentors and friends Truman and Trudy Morris, the Pierces came to Fort Myers in 1964 to open WCAI-AM, the third radio station in town. They later owned and operated WQEZ-FM. After retiring in 1987, they happily traveled the country in their motor home and in more recent years summered in Hiawassee, GA.
Helen directed the children’s choir at Wesley Memorial Methodist Church and was a charter member and the first organist at Cypress Lake United Methodist Church. She volunteered for the Voluntary Action Center and belonged to the Junior Welfare League of Fort Myers for many years.
More than anything, she loved being a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. She loved to polka, too.
She was predeceased by a brother, Paul Leedy, and by her parents, Margaret and Sherman Leedy. She is survived by her husband Ron, their children Kevin Pierce (Cindy), Kathy Graff (John) and Kristy Applegate (Ted), all of Fort Myers; by grandchildren Brynn Applegate Currier, Kelly Applegate Doxtator, Morgan Graff Gardner, Emily Graff Francois, Jane Pierce, Chalmers Pierce and Trey, Abigail and Grace Graff; by great-grandchildren Xavier, Kya, Cora and McKenna; by her brother David Leedy; by Mrs. Morris; and by loving brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and friends around the country. She is remembered dearly by them all.
A celebration of Helen’s life is planned for 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, at Cypress Lake United Methodist Church. Memorial gifts can be made to CLUMC or to Hope Hospice of Fort Myers.
Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cape Coral, is entrusted with final care.