Mary Helen Chandler Wakeman

WAKEMAN, Helen Chandler, 78 entered her heavenly home on Friday, October 14, 2016. Helen’s friendly demeanor, sense of humor, cooperative spirit and consideration for others were only a few of her many fine qualities. She will be sorely missed by family and her many friends. Helen was born in Louisville, Kentucky on March 21, 1938, daughter of the late Albert Ansil and Elva Alice Tatman Chandler. She was a graduate of Mercy Academy; was a long-time employee of the Kentucky Petroleum Council and the Kentucky Petroleum Marketers Association, retiring in 1998 after 45 years of service. She married James D. Wakeman in 1962. A life-long member of the Catholic Church, Helen held dual memberships at St. Brigid and Cathedral of the Assumption. She participated in the prayer blanket project at St. Brigid, sewing numerous blankets for shut-ins and nursing home residents. For many years she shopped for and wrapped Christmas presents for homebound members of the Cathedral. Helen looked forward to monthly gatherings with fellow Mercy alums for various activities plus an annual fall outing at selected locations. Helen was an avid University of Louisville fan and also followed the St. Louis Cardinal baseball team. She and Jim especially enjoyed baseball trips with granddaughters, Brittany and Emily. They visited various ballparks to see the Cardinals play. This tradition started in 1997 and has been an annual event ever since. Helen’s parents and her brother, Stephen Chandler, preceded her in death. Her husband, Jim; daughter, Cynthia Wakeman Blandford and her husband Dean; granddaughters, Brittany Rountree Howell and her husband, Chris and Emily Rountree and her good friend, Justin Sells survive her. Also surviving are brothers, Albert Chandler and his wife, Jeanette, Robert Chandler, James Chandler and sisters, Cecile (Jean) Chandler, Patricia Chandler, Dorothy Chandler Ehnle and Carolyn Chandler Napper. Visitation will be from 2-8 p.m., Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road, Louisville. A funeral Mass will be conducted at 10am Thursday, October 20 at Cathedral of the Assumption, 433 S. 5th Street, Louisville. Cremation has been chosen with inurnment at Cave Hill Cemetery immediately following Mass. The family wishes to acknowledge the care and compassion Helen received from her entire healthcare team at Norton Women’s and Kosair Children’s Hospital, as well as, Baptist Health Louisville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or to a charity of donor’s choice.