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Timeline for Helen Belle DeWitt
Born: November 20, 1930
Died: September 17, 2025
Helen Belle Stephens DeWitt was born on November 20, 1930, and passed away on September 17, 2025, in Tucson, Arizona, at the age of 94. She was the daughter of Margaret Fern Snyder Stephens and Charles Aubrey Stephens of Clayton, Illinois. Helen attended schools in Adams and Brown counties in Illinois. She lived with her grandparents, Arthur and Daisy Snyder of Mt. Sterling, Illinois after the death of her mother.
She is preceded in death by her siblings, Bonnie Stephens Barefield, Judith Stephens Gales, Bud Stephens, and Lynn Stephens.
She married Marion (Doug) DeWitt of Versailles, Illinois. They were married for 72 years until his death in 2022. Helen entered Civil Service in 1967 and retired in 1988 as Chief of Civilian Pay. After her retirement, she and Doug travelled the US visiting children and grandchildren. Helen considers her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as her greatest accomplishment.
Helen is survived by three daughters, Judith Gaye DeWitt, Stephanie Gene (Robert) Henderson and Marian Laverne (Gary) Lowe, five grandchildren Kara (Robbie) Smelkoff, Jessica (Chris) Bearden, Seth (Olivia) Henderson, Jarrod (Diana) Lowe, and Melissa (Jon) Waychoff. She is also survived by 11 great grandchildren, Helen Isabella Ammons, Catherine Ammons, Caroline Ammons, Noah Henderson, Jonah Henderson, Asa Henderson, Micah Bearden, Katie Beth Bearden, Madison Waychoff, Brayden Waychoff, and Daniella Lowe.
She will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Marana, AZ.
Mom, Miss coming down and having lunch with you and Melissa, there is a hole in our hearts and life without you. Will see you back together with Dad tomorrow. Love Marian
Dear Granny, You have always been there for me my whole life. From when I was a baby and would sneak out of my room and crawl to your room at night. To teaching me songs on the piano and singing songs with me and playing dolls with me and teaching me how to play gin rummy. To staying up late talking and midnight snacks on my weekend sleepovers with you and movie nights where you always let me pick the movie even if we had seen it before. Visiting you at work with Grandpa and picnics in the park watching the squirrels. Taking me on trips with you and Grandpa in the camper or later the RV. I saw so many places with you both, and you always made it all feel like we were on a big adventure. You were there for every milestone. If you went out of town without me, you were sure to mail me many postcards. You listened to anything I wanted to talk about and were always there. When I lived in Chicago for 5 years you emailed me every single day. You and Grandpa drove across the country for my wedding and the birth of Madison. You were there when Brayden was born. You treated Jon like he was your own grandson. You got on the floor and played with my babies even when you were in your 80s. You had a way of making each of us feel special. Even when you were dying you made sure to tell us you loved us, until you couldn't speak anymore. Over the past few months I find myself thinking oh I need to go see Granny or oh I need to tell Granny this, or I'm shopping and think, oh Granny would like that. And I will probably always think like that because you meant so much to me and were such a big part of my life. I miss you so much. I'm so lucky to have had you in my life for so long and I have always felt so thankful that even my own kids got to know my Granny. Love, Missy Kaye
We are so sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in knowing that Helen and Doug are reunited and at peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time: 10:00 am
Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Marana
Address:
Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Time: 10:00 am
Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery Marana
Address:
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Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.
Mom, Miss coming down and having lunch with you and Melissa, there is a hole in our hearts and life without you. Will see you back together with Dad tomorrow. Love Marian
Dear Granny, You have always been there for me my whole life. From when I was a baby and would sneak out of my room and crawl to your room at night. To teaching me songs on the piano and singing songs with me and playing dolls with me and teaching me how to play gin rummy. To staying up late talking and midnight snacks on my weekend sleepovers with you and movie nights where you always let me pick the movie even if we had seen it before. Visiting you at work with Grandpa and picnics in the park watching the squirrels. Taking me on trips with you and Grandpa in the camper or later the RV. I saw so many places with you both, and you always made it all feel like we were on a big adventure. You were there for every milestone. If you went out of town without me, you were sure to mail me many postcards. You listened to anything I wanted to talk about and were always there. When I lived in Chicago for 5 years you emailed me every single day. You and Grandpa drove across the country for my wedding and the birth of Madison. You were there when Brayden was born. You treated Jon like he was your own grandson. You got on the floor and played with my babies even when you were in your 80s. You had a way of making each of us feel special. Even when you were dying you made sure to tell us you loved us, until you couldn't speak anymore. Over the past few months I find myself thinking oh I need to go see Granny or oh I need to tell Granny this, or I'm shopping and think, oh Granny would like that. And I will probably always think like that because you meant so much to me and were such a big part of my life. I miss you so much. I'm so lucky to have had you in my life for so long and I have always felt so thankful that even my own kids got to know my Granny. Love, Missy Kaye
We are so sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in knowing that Helen and Doug are reunited and at peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Marana Mortuary & Cemetery
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Marana Mortuary & Cemetery.