Helen B. Niemira (nee Bradshaw) Fortified with the sacrament of Holy Mother Church on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at the age of 88.

Mother was small in stature but left a huge legacy. She and our dad, Thad F. Niemira, raised 14 children: nine boys and five girls in a three-bedroom, one bathroom house in South St. Louis. From the beginning of their 62-year marriage everything they did was about their family. Every Sunday, without fail, we attended Mass at The Church of the Magdalen eventually filling the same two pews in the center of the church.

Mom was involved in the parish in a variety of ways. Most notably, she was a decades long member of the Magdalen Quilters. Her discerning eye for color and pattern elevated her early on to the role of “director of creativity and quality control,” making sure that she and each of her “quilting buddies,” as she called them, were producing quilts that they could all be proud of. Their quilts were a treasured raffle item at the Magdalen Christmas Craft Fair every year.

Mom’s quilting talents were not reserved for the “formal” quilting group. She made quilts for each of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Each was thoughtfully made according to the personality and favorite colors of the recipient. She knew us all so well. Her quilting buddies have graciously agreed to finish the ones that Mom was unable to finish to be sure that everyone is “covered.”

Sometime in the mid-1970’s Mom made homemade pizza on a Saturday night. It quickly became a tradition that not only fed us, but many of our friends, too. As more of our friends found out about “Saturday Night Pizza,” she would make up to 20 pizzas every Saturday night with a variety of toppings, never refusing anyone who came for a slice or two. Mom always ate last, making her pizza with any toppings that remained. Whether it was pizza, quilts, or anything else she set her very busy hands to, she took care of everyone else before doing anything for herself.

She was a member of the South Side Optimists Club, loved strong coffee with cream, mystery novels, old movies, and Toby Keith. Her greatest loves were her Catholic Faith and her family. She never demanded visits or phone calls, and she was genuinely happy when any (or all) of us showed up, called, or sent a text message. She loved being our Mom and she made sure we all knew how much we were loved.

Family and friends may gather for visitation on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at JOHN L. ZIEGENHEIN & SONS SOUTH COUNTY CHAPEL, 4830 Lemay Ferry Road, Saint Louis, MO 63129.  Mass will be held the following morning Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. at Assumption Catholic Church, 4725 Mattis Road, Saint Louis, MO 63128.  Interment following Mass will be at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers in honor of Helen please consider a memorial donation to Shriners Children's Hospital St. Louis, 440 Clayton Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110 or Respect Life Apostolate, 20 Archbishop May Drive, St. Louis, MO 63119.