Matriarch of One of Sedalia’s Prominent Families, Helen Rowlette Cecil, Dies at 89

Helen Rowlette Cecil of Sedalia, Missouri died on January 14, 2016.  She was born on October 21, 1926 to Dessie and Alfred Rowlette.  Helen had three sisters, Jeanne Ann, Gayle, and Gloria (who died at age 3).  As young girls, Helen and Jeanne Ann enjoyed singing, and their father taught them to sing harmonies.  She also loved doting on her youngest sister Gayle.  Helen graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in 1944 and married Gerald Cecil on June 29, 1947.  In the early 1950s, she gave birth to two boys, Gerry and Greg, who were a constant source of pride.

Helen loved being a mother.  She was an expert seamstress and made many of her sons’ clothes.  Helen was active in their lives, serving on the PTA, being a homeroom mother, and shuttling them to music lessons, scouts and baseball games.  There were always neighborhood children playing in her backyard, and she would bring them Kool-Aid and popsicles as refreshments on hot summer days.  Helen also enjoyed baking.  During the Christmas season she would bake dozens of cookies and ice each one to perfection.  One of her great joys was to host the holidays, surrounded by her family, where she made every dish from scratch.  Helen enjoyed her time as a den mother when Gerry and Greg were in Scouts, and was so proud the day that they both made Eagle Scout.

Helen also loved to travel.  When her sons were young, the family travelled across the country, camping in national parks throughout the west.  Later, Helen and Gerald travelled throughout the world, visiting such exotic places as Morocco, Holland, and Austria.  When Helen visited Switzerland she was able to see the mountains featured in one of her favorite movies, The Sound of Music.

Helen and Gerald complemented each other’s strengths throughout their 68 year journey together.  They were the perfect couple, spending many summer evenings playing golf, taking nightly drives down Ohio Street, working together in the family business, or simply spending time together.  Helen’s backyard was her artist’s canvas, where she created a park-like setting with beautiful flowers that she so carefully nurtured.

Helen’s granddaughters, Katie, Jessica, and Jennifer, were her great pride and joy.  She and Gerald loved taking the girls on trips to new places near and far.  Helen loved the girls’ week-long visits to her house during the summer, where she delighted in spending time with them.

But most of all, Helen enjoyed her home and her life as a caring mother, grandmother, aunt, and lifetime partner to the love of her life, Gerald.  She will be greatly missed, but our fond memories of her will live on.

Helen is survived by her sons Gerald Cecil II (Roberta) of Overland Park, KS, Gregory Cecil (Michelle) of Columbia, MO, granddaughters Katie Schout (Andrew), Jessica Mackey (Chris), Jennifer Cecil, sister Gayle Thomas, brother-in-law Wilbur Mosier, sister-in-law Nadine Roberts, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters Gloria and Jeanne Ann, and husband Gerald.

The family wishes to express a special thanks to the staff of Sylvia G. Thompson Retirement Center, Crossroads Hospice, and Natasha Cowgill.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Helen’s name can be made to The First United Methodist Church or the Gerald O. and Helen E. Cecil Memorial Scholarship Fund at Smith-Cotton High School.

Visitation will be held the evening of January 18th, from 5 to 7 pm at the McLaughlin Funeral Chapel 6th and Ohio. Funeral services will be held at the First United Methodist Church at 4th and Osage at 10:30 am January 19th, with interment at Memorial Park Cemetery immediately following.