1940
Nora
2015
Nora Helman
July 30, 1940 — November 3, 2015
Nora Darlene (Mawson) Helman passed from her earthly life on November 3, 2015 in Independence, MO. The seventh daughter of Chester A. and Leeta Maude Mawson, Darlene was born near Archie, MO on July 30, 1940, the youngest of identical twins. Darlene married Lance E. Helman in 1975 and a son, Bryan E. Helman was born in Independence; married Amy Kushnir Helman; they have a daughter, Madison Marie. They currently live in Overland Park, KS.
Darlene Helman’s career spanned 33 years as a middle-school music teacher in Independence Schools. She attended the University of Central Missouri, earning a B. S. in Education as music major; she earned her Master of Music Education at the University of Colorado. Darlene served as Choir Director and pianist/organist/soloist at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Blue Springs, MO. She also served as an Elder, a Deacon, a Chapel Fellowship moderator along with her husband, and as the Music and Worship Chair for her church.
Darlene was active in Delta Kappa Gamma, an International Honor Society of Women Educators; served as DKG Missouri State President, DKG Southwest Regional Choir Director and Regional Convention Chair; and DKG International Music Chair, Choir Director, and Hand Bell Director. She was given the prestigious DKG Missouri State Achievement Award in 1993, and was a recipient of the DKG Golden Gift national scholarship for Leadership Management in 1999.
Darlene arranged, composed and published numerous choral compositions for church and DKG Conventions. As a member of the Independence Symphony Board of Directors, she implemented the annual Symphony’s “Young Artist Competition.”
A memorial service will be held at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, 3108 SW US 40 HWY
Blue Springs, MO on Sunday, November 15th at 3:00 pm. The Darlene Mawson Helman Music Education Scholarship was established at the University of Central Missouri by her twin sister, Marlene Mawson in 2014. Contributions may be sent to this scholarship fund by contacting: UCM Foundation, Smiser Alumni Center University of Central Missouri Warrensburg MO 64093. Contributions also may be made to Darlene Mawson Helman Chapel Hill Presbyterian’s Music Memorial Fund.
Darlene Helman’s career spanned 33 years as a middle-school music teacher in Independence Schools. She attended the University of Central Missouri, earning a B. S. in Education as music major; she earned her Master of Music Education at the University of Colorado. Darlene served as Choir Director and pianist/organist/soloist at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church in Blue Springs, MO. She also served as an Elder, a Deacon, a Chapel Fellowship moderator along with her husband, and as the Music and Worship Chair for her church.
Darlene was active in Delta Kappa Gamma, an International Honor Society of Women Educators; served as DKG Missouri State President, DKG Southwest Regional Choir Director and Regional Convention Chair; and DKG International Music Chair, Choir Director, and Hand Bell Director. She was given the prestigious DKG Missouri State Achievement Award in 1993, and was a recipient of the DKG Golden Gift national scholarship for Leadership Management in 1999.
Darlene arranged, composed and published numerous choral compositions for church and DKG Conventions. As a member of the Independence Symphony Board of Directors, she implemented the annual Symphony’s “Young Artist Competition.”
A memorial service will be held at Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church, 3108 SW US 40 HWY
Blue Springs, MO on Sunday, November 15th at 3:00 pm. The Darlene Mawson Helman Music Education Scholarship was established at the University of Central Missouri by her twin sister, Marlene Mawson in 2014. Contributions may be sent to this scholarship fund by contacting: UCM Foundation, Smiser Alumni Center University of Central Missouri Warrensburg MO 64093. Contributions also may be made to Darlene Mawson Helman Chapel Hill Presbyterian’s Music Memorial Fund.
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