Helen R Saunders, 78, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 3, 2022, at Meth-Wick Community.  Celebration of life gathering will be from 2:00 p.m.  until 5:00 p.m., Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW.  Private family inurnment in Carterville, Illinois on April 9, 2022.

Helen was born May 26, 1943, the daughter of Earle M. and Marie Hughes.  She was proud to have been born and raised in Southern Illinois, where she was brought up by a Southern Baptist Mother, Presbyterian Father and married into the Lutheran church.     Her parents raised their children in that blended faith, which gave her a strong life long religious foundation of love and kindness for all.  Her faith and kindness showed in every circumstance and her loving approach to life set an example for all of us.  She was a former member of Epiphany, All Saints, Marion in Illinois, and St. Mark's Lutheran in Cedar Rapids.

Helen graduated from McLeansboro, Illinois High School in 1961 and Southern Illinois University with a degree in Physical Education in 1974 and later received her master's degree.  Her professional activities included teaching, Director of Southern Illinois Lung Association, a pioneer for female sport referees, youth camp counselor and substitute teacher for her grandchildren's classes.

Helen married Tom Neal in 1961 and they had two children, Cheyrl and Tom.  Following their divorce, she married David Saunders and became Benjamin Andrew Saunders's mom.

Helen loved her chocolate chip cookies, spending time on the sewing machine, researching the Hughes family Mayflower connection and extending kindness to all around her.  Always the one to remember your birthday, anniversary, address and phone number; she was the family historian and left big shoes to fill.

Helen is survived by her children Cheyrl Hines and Ben Saunders of Cedar Rapids and Tom (Laura) Neal of Wake Forest, North Carolina; her brother Earl (Barbara) Hughes; her sister Ann Duncan.  Helen is Grandma to Susanne, Mara, Joe, Paul, Josh, Jordan and Addie and Great Grandma to Lenora, James and Olive as well as many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents and husband David Saunders.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com