Helen Jean Finn
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Helen Jean Finn went home to be with the Lord on May 24, 2024. She was born on September 1, 1934 in Vienna, Missouri to Joseph Andrew and Mary Elizabeth (Crum) Breeden. She was the last of eight children. Jean chose Jesus as her savior as a child and served Him until the end.
While attending high school, Jean excelled at commercial subjects and music. She also met Jim Finn and thought he was the ‘cutest, smartest boy’. They were married August 22, 1953. Jim was a school teacher so they lived in five different Missouri towns, ending up in Rolla. They were married almost 50 years before Jim passed away on March 25, 2003.
Jean enjoyed being a homemaker, sewing, crafting, baking cakes and decorating them, and singing in many choirs, such as Festival of Praise where she traveled the US for 1-2 weeks. She was also the treasurer of the Mid-MO chapter of Women’s Aglow Fellowship for many years. Nothing compared to having a court judge award them the care of a one month old beautiful child, Dawn Jean. Jean lost no time holding, loving and playing with her with much book reading and music. Dawn married Shawn Ettleman in 1988 and in 1995 had a precious granddaughter, Nicole Lynne.
Jean was employed 44 years in different medical offices in Rolla (The medical offices of Drs. Feind, Lytle, Myers, Smith, Huss and Felts, and Richard Breeden), the Sullivan Hospital, the Phelps County Regional Hospital and Heritage Park Nursing Home. She retired at the age of 72 and moved to Columbia, MO with Shawn and Dawn in March of 2007. Within two months she became a volunteer at nursing homes by playing the music she loved (to help residents enjoy, sing, and recall happy days and events of their lives).
She was chosen in 2006 to represent 11 counties in Mid-Mo as an “Older Worker of the Year” for the State of Missouri. She was blessed to be honored on her retirement in 2007 by the City of Rolla with a proclamation of “Jean Finn Day”. In 2010, she was awarded the Hero Award for her volunteering playing piano and singing with the residents at Lenoir Woods.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, infant son, John David, brothers Henry J. Breeden, Leonard A. Breeden, sisters Irene Nelson, Louise Crancer, Lavon Nelson, Mae Haynes, and Mary Ann Robertson and their spouses. She was survived by her daughter, Dawn and husband, Shawn, granddaughter Nicole and her husband, Chris and great-grandson Dominic, many loved nieces and nephews, and many special friends, and her faithful friend with 4 legs, Lucy.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Grandview Baptist Church, 8300 N. Rt Z, Centralia, MO. Visitation will be from 11:00 – 1:00 with the service being held at 1:00 pm. We encourage everyone to wear bright or cheerful colors. Jean will be smiling.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grandview Baptist Church for the Operation Christmas Child program.
Aunt Jeanne was the sweetest person imaginable! She will be missed by so many here on Earth but is now in Heaven with our Father and numerous family members and friends. We’ll see each other again. ♥️
Praying for peace and comfort for you, Dawn,Shawn and Nicole. I know that this has left a big hole in your life and home. Aunt Jeane was so sweet and reminded me of Mom so much. What a hope and assurance we have that we know that Aunt Jeane is with Jesus!
Jean was such a precious person! She always had a smile and a kind word. She loved Jesus with all her heart and loved her family and friends so beautifully. Sending ny love to Dawn and family.
Jean was a good friend of my parents, Leland and Zoe Anne Hauth (both now deceased), and attended their home Bible studies in Rolla, where I grew up. She was always a big fan of my music endeavors! She was always genuinely interested in the activities of the Hauth family. She will be missed.
Jean lit up the room with her smile everywhere she went! She was a joy to be around and definitely a wonderful example of a true believer in Christ her Lord. I will miss her and thank God I got to sing next to her in choir and hear the joyfull sound of her piano playing! She is singing and playing for Jesus now!
I only had the pleasure of meeting Jean a few times but she raised one of the most special people I know – her daughter Dawn. My love and condolences go out to Dawn and her family during this time of loss. I love you all and you can rest assured knowing that your momma is communing with Jesus now. 🥰🥰
Jean was a second Mom and I always knew she loved me like I was another daughter. I’m so thankful for each moment I had with her. Jean shone the light of her Savior brightly and had a wealth of wisdom to share. Dawn, I’m so very sorry I wasn’t at the visitation and service. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love you!
Jean was a very special person, and I know she is enjoying being with her Heavenly Father. My condolences to all of her family.