Helen Elizabeth Vanasse

Helen Vanasse went to be with the Lord in heaven on Thursday, October 17, 2024. Helen Elizabeth Vanasse (nee Reardon) was born March 25, 1938, in Brighton, Massachusetts to Charles and Mildred Reardon. She graduated from Waltham High School in 1955 and soon worked as a secretary to help support her family. In 1957, she met the love of her life, Robert Vanasse, and they married on August 17, 1958, in Waltham, Massachusetts. Helen and Bob moved to Queens Borough, New York upon their marriage and soon welcomed their son, Charles and later their daughters Andrea and Suzanne after moving to St. Louis. The family finally settled in Overland Park, Kansas in 1973. 

Helen spent most of her life as a homemaker a - dedicated wife and mother. Helen quit smoking cigarettes in 1975; she could suddenly taste again and began cooking and experimenting in the kitchen in earnest. She spent many years attending cooking classes at The Back Burner, studying Julia Child’s recipes and generally becoming a gourmet chef. Her family and friends were the happy guinea pigs and enjoyed her culinary skills as she grew and bloomed as a chef. 

In the late 1980s, Helen at last explored her interest in art. She always said that she never could find exactly what she wanted to decorate her own home, so she started to paint it. Beginning in oils and then onto watercolors and finally in acrylics, Helen was a prolific painter. She exhibited for many years with the Greater Kansas City Art Association in shows throughout the Kansas City area. She was a member of Images Gallery (now located in Overland Park, Kansas) for some years. She won many blue ribbons in juried shows and collected numerous awards throughout her 30+ year art career. Helen and Bob traveled the world during their 63-year marriage and Helen painted many landscapes recounting their travels. Her attention to detail and superior skill also showed up in her many floral paintings. 

Although very private about her struggles with alcohol, it’s worth noting that Helen quit drinking on April 23,1989 and spent many years as an active and supportive sponsor with Alcoholics Anonymous throughout Johnson County. 

Helen was an Irish redhead; her fiery temper and sweet demeanor presented a challenging dichotomy. She welcomed everyone who came to her home and always had a smile and a meal for all the friends and acquaintances who crossed her threshold. She was the most hospitable woman and a jewel in her husband’s crown. 

Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her three younger siblings, her grandson Salifu, her son Charles and her husband Robert. She is survived by her daughters Andrea and Suzanne, her grandchildren Benjamin (Jennifer), Jonathan (Jaime), Michael, Nellie, Margaret (Russell), Elizabeth, Anna (Michael) and Kathleen. She also leaves her seven great-grandchildren – Arieanna, Audrey, Elise, Mannox, Henry, Vivian and Robert – along with nieces, nephews and many cherished friends. 

Helen, nicknamed Honey as a child, was indeed an exemplary Proverbs 31 woman and excelled as wife and mother. We are saddened by her absence from this life, but joyful in her reunion with her God and Savior along with her husband, son and a large welcoming committee of friends and family. 

The family wishes to express our gratitude to the caregivers at Enhabit Hospice for their gentle care and lovingkindness the last several weeks of Helen’s life. 

Burial at Leavenworth National Cemetery alongside her husband will be private. A celebration of her life and work as an artist will be announced in the coming months. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Life 88.5 Christian radio or Zoe’s House Adoption Agency are much appreciated.

“we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” - 2nd Corinthians 5:8