Helen Irene (Ollis) Huff

Helen Irene (Ollis) Huff, age 78 of Valparaiso, Indiana passed away in her home with family by her side on April 14, 2020 after a 16 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Helen was born in Hammond, Indiana to Aaron and Margaret (McLean) Ollis. She was close in age and heart to her younger sister Barbara Ruth. She enjoyed trips to Indiana Dunes, and fishing trips with her parents and sister. She also loved the many dogs and cats her family had as she grew up. She was a talented artist, recognized for her drawings and paintings throughout school. She graduated from Calumet High School in 1959, and Purdue University Lafayette (School of Pharmacy) in 1963. She was also a traveler and adventurer, and saw much of the world before making Kauai, Hawaii her home in 1972 for the following 20 years. Helen married Ira C. Huff III on August 29, 1975 in Lihue, Hawaii, becoming step-mother to beloved step-children Kevin, Keith and Pamela. Helen and Ira went on to expand their family with the births of son, Eric, and daughter Margaret. While living on Kauai, Helen was a pharmacist at Wilcox Hospital, West Side Pharmacy, Elele Clinic, and Kalaheo Clinic. Helen’s time with her friends and family on the beaches of Kauai and Kokee picnics were some of her fondest memories. Helen, Ira, Eric and Margaret moved to Valparaiso, Indiana in 1992 to be closer to her parents and sister, and enjoyed countless Sunday dinners with family again in Indiana. She worked at and retired from US Steel Clinic in Merrillville. In retirement, Helen was an avid reader, bird-watcher, devoted cat and dog Mom and traveled occasionally back to Hawaii, to Ira’s family in New Jersey, and to Eric and Margaret’s duty stations. Helen is survived by husband Ira, children Kevin (Patti) Huff of Lawai, HI, Keith (Shauna) Huff of Broomfield, CO, Pamela (Laurence) Santistevan of Englewwood, CO, Eric Huff of El Paso, TX, and Margaret (Roberto Levy) Huff of Kapolei, HI, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren in Colorado and Hawaii, sister Barbara Ruth Muskin of St. John, IN, nephew David (Valerie) Grasch and their twins Alison and Andrea, of Valparaiso, IN, niece Paula Muskin of Park Ridge, IL, beloved cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephew, and dear friends throughout the country, and of course her feline “baby Kitty-Kitty. Helen is preceded in death by her parents, brother-in-law Paul Muskin, sister-in-law Janet Miller, niece Susan Unorski, loved cousins, and many cat and dog “children.” There is no scheduled service at this time; the family will schedule a celebration of life at some time in the future when gathering allows. The family asks that if memorials wish to be made, to please donate to a cancer charity, animal or wildlife charity, or other charity of your choice in her name.

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