Helen Irene O'Neill

August 6, 1923 - September 12, 2020

Helen Irene (Butterfield) O’Neill, 97, of Lindenhurst, IL, peacefully moved on to her permanent home in Heaven on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Helen was born August 6, 1923 and lived in the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff area for 92 years. Helen married William “Bill” O’Neill in 1944 and had three children. Helen’s final years were spent at the Village of Victory Lakes in Lindenhurst, IL. First and foremost, Helen was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. She treasured her family and embraced every moment with them. Helen retired from the Lake Forest school district as a cook. Many of those years spent at Cherokee School. She volunteered for many local charities and events, supported the American Legion Auxiliary, Lake Forest Day, and the local police and fire association. Helen loved to knit, attend swim exercise class, play cards / bingo, support her church with all her heart, and generally be a ray of sunshine to everyone she met. She was a loyal and devoted friend to many and especially her lifelong friend Ann Martin (2010). Helen was proceeded in death by her husband Bill (1994), sister Ruth Lichtwalt (Frank), brother Frank Butterfield (Joyce), son-in-law Dick Kimmel, daughter-in-law Shirley O’Neill, and grandson Keith Kimmel. Helen is survived by her daughter Carol O’Neill Kimmel Wright (Jerry), sons Bruce O’Neill (Nancy), Brian O’Neill, grandchildren Valerie Strzyz, Stephen Kimmel, Taylor O’Neill, and Keenan O’Neill and Taylor and Keenan’s mother Anita. Helen was also blessed with great grandchildren; Bill Strzyz, John Strzyz, and Vincent Kimmel. The family would like to thank the staff at Victory Lakes for making such a difference in her life and for the outstanding level of care, dignity and respect they provided her. And all of the residents who made her feel welcome from day one many of which grew into cherished friends. As a lifelong Lake Forester, Helen had a passion for the community and preserving its history. As tribute to Helen’s life and to honor the family, several photographs and artifacts will be added to the collection at the History Center of Lake Forest/Lake Bluff. Due to COVID-19 restrictions with facilities and large gatherings, services and interment will be private and by invitation only. The Funeral Mass will be live streamed on Saturday, September 19, 2020, at 11:30 am. You may view the service on the Church of St. Mary-Lake Forest Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ChurchofStMaryLF/videos/. We appreciate your understanding and regret that we are not able to gather in person. FACEBOOK NO LONGER ALLOWS YOU TO VIEW THE LIVESTREAM WITHOUT AN ACCOUNT, THE SERVICE WILL BE RECORDED AND UPLOADED TO THE FUNERAL HOME WEBSITE AFTER THE FUNERAL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests honoring Helen’s memory by donating to the History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff at https://lflbhistory.org/give-join/donate or 509 E. Deerpath Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045. For more information contact Reuland & Turnbough Funeral Directors of Lake Forest, 847-234-9649 or www.RTfunerals.com.