Funeral Services will be held on Friday, September 16, 2022, with a 9:30 A.M. Rosary and a 10:00 A.M. Funeral Mass in St. Paul Catholic Church, St. Paul, Oregon for Helen Fica Coleman who died at the Willow Place Assisted Living Community in Newberg, Oregon on August 15th at the age of 97.

Helen Katherine Ficq Coleman was born in Albany, Oregon, the daughter of Dr. Augustin Constant Louis Ficq of The Hague, Netherlands, and Catherine Schubert Ficq of Armstrong, B.C. Canada. Dr. Ficq settled his wife and three children in Albany, Oregon where Helen, the youngest, attended St. Mary's Catholic School. Seeking a better life for his family during the Great Depression of the 1930s, Dr. Ficq sought to relocate his family on the Indonesian Island of Java. By 1936 however, the island's political stability became endangered due to the immanence of WWII. Dr. Ficq and his family returned to Oregon where Helen graduated first in her class at Albany High School and was awarded a scholarship to Mary|hurst College. She attended Mary|hurst College and transferred to Oregon State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics in June 1948.

In September 1948, Helen was hired for her first teaching job at St. Paul Union High School and moved to St. Paul where she taught Home Economics and Physical Education. It was in the fall that year that Helen met the love of her life, James Coleman. They were married in June 1950 and moved into their new home at the site of Gearin's Ferry on the bank of the Willamette River the following year. There they raised their family of six children and many beloved dogs.

In 1968, Helen returned to teaching as the seventh-grade teacher at St. Paul Parochial School. She also acted as a substitute teacher at Newberg High School and Middle School. Helen loved teaching and she loved her students, many of whom were children of the students she had taught in the 1940's. In 1978, Helen retired from teaching. Throughout her married life, she was a loving wife to her husband, a loving mother to her children, and a wonderful homemaker. In the fall of 2017, Helen's health necessitated a move to Willow Place.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Coleman (d. June 1, 2006). She is survived by her children, Katherine (Patrick) Sheehy, Santa Maria, CA; Curtis Coleman, St. Paul, OR; Cornelia Coleman (Tony Yraguen), Portland, OR; Christopher (Marne) Coleman, St. Paul, OR; Caroline Richter, St. Paul, OR; and Clinton (Tami) Coleman of Canby, OR; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Helen was a devout Catholic and a proud longtime member of the St. Paul Community. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the St. Paul Catholic Parish, St. Paul, Oregon. Arrangements are in the care of Attrell's Newberg Funeral Chapel.

","media":{"files":{"3c2607e0-57fa-411b-86fc-c7e1d5a7d6cd":{"url":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/resting-gardens-live.appspot.com/o/cemetery%2Fci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2%2Fresidents%2Fpublic%2F36d570e2-c403-48e4-a4c4-e06ff1ed4903%2F3c2607e0-57fa-411b-86fc-c7e1d5a7d6cd?alt=media","location":"cemetery/ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2/residents/public/36d570e2-c403-48e4-a4c4-e06ff1ed4903/3c2607e0-57fa-411b-86fc-c7e1d5a7d6cd","size":183797,"contentType":"image/png","name":"Helen Coleman","dimensions":{"width":306,"height":346},"thumbnailUrl":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/resting-gardens-live.appspot.com/o/cemetery%2Fci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2%2Fresidents%2Fpublic%2F36d570e2-c403-48e4-a4c4-e06ff1ed4903%2F3c2607e0-57fa-411b-86fc-c7e1d5a7d6cd-thumbnail?alt=media","compressedUrl":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/resting-gardens-live.appspot.com/o/cemetery%2Fci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2%2Fresidents%2Fpublic%2F36d570e2-c403-48e4-a4c4-e06ff1ed4903%2F3c2607e0-57fa-411b-86fc-c7e1d5a7d6cd-compressed?alt=media"}},"fileOrder":["3c2607e0-57fa-411b-86fc-c7e1d5a7d6cd"]},"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":null,"year":null,"type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"----","buried":"----","fullName":"Helen Coleman","veteran":"","id":"36d570e2-c403-48e4-a4c4-e06ff1ed4903"},{"res":{"id":"3b97da72-3f14-4597-9cb9-58f315cc3f0a","slug":"robert-coleman-22-6-6"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Robert","middle":"T.","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"Robert T. Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"05-05-1993","year":"1993","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"----","buried":"Wed May 05 1993","fullName":"Robert Coleman","veteran":"","id":"3b97da72-3f14-4597-9cb9-58f315cc3f0a"},{"res":{"id":"6a48ee85-0f3b-4430-8fd0-eb855b369975","slug":"c-maureen-coleman-w-36-1"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"C. Maureen","middle":null,"last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"C. Maureen Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"05-21-2014","year":"2014","type":"CRE","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"----","buried":"Wed May 21 2014","fullName":"C. Maureen Coleman","veteran":"","id":"6a48ee85-0f3b-4430-8fd0-eb855b369975"},{"res":{"id":"bdfcd71f-d45d-433b-b005-427e936e5a3e","slug":"joseph-coleman-9-8-8"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Joseph","middle":"D.","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"Joseph D. Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"02-21-2009","year":"2009","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"----","buried":"Sat Feb 21 2009","fullName":"Joseph Coleman","veteran":"","id":"bdfcd71f-d45d-433b-b005-427e936e5a3e"},{"res":{"id":"e7da9334-ae1f-403c-a815-07770e8df08f","slug":"diana-coleman-10-9-8"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Diana","middle":"Ruiz","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"Diana Ruiz Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"12-23-2013","year":"2013","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"----","buried":"Mon Dec 23 2013","fullName":"Diana Coleman","veteran":"","id":"e7da9334-ae1f-403c-a815-07770e8df08f"},{"res":{"id":"b94124ea-a34a-4fe6-8ab3-1d1355d8859c","slug":"albert-coleman-19-10-5"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Albert","middle":"R","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"Albert R Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":"1882"},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":null,"year":"1955","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"1882","death":"----","buried":"1955","fullName":"Albert Coleman","veteran":"","id":"b94124ea-a34a-4fe6-8ab3-1d1355d8859c"},{"res":{"id":"ca6cfe2c-c23d-4ccc-bcf0-68ef29eeedc8","slug":"george-coleman-8-1-4"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"George","middle":"Maxwell","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"George Maxwell Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":true,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"01-03-1987","year":"1987","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"----","buried":"Sat Jan 03 1987","fullName":"George Coleman","veteran":"Yes","id":"ca6cfe2c-c23d-4ccc-bcf0-68ef29eeedc8"},{"res":{"id":"5544ccd2-ff8e-4c02-9a3f-d927772c4e72","slug":"dora-coleman-9-8-2"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Dora","middle":null,"last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"Dora Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"03-29-1966","year":"1966","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"----","buried":"Tue Mar 29 1966","fullName":"Dora Coleman","veteran":"","id":"5544ccd2-ff8e-4c02-9a3f-d927772c4e72"},{"res":{"id":"20de55fe-96bc-4bd5-b96c-75d83b8cb399","slug":"mary-coleman-8-1-6"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Mary","middle":"E.J.","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"Mary E.J. Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":"09-07-1868","year":"1868"},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"12-20-1942","year":"1942","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"Mon Sep 07 1868","death":"----","buried":"Sun Dec 20 1942","fullName":"Mary Coleman","veteran":"","id":"20de55fe-96bc-4bd5-b96c-75d83b8cb399"},{"res":{"id":"bf7fe96d-bf74-4d91-96a5-11ed9b1a1aa1","slug":"james-coleman-9-7-2"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"James","middle":null,"last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"James Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"06-11-1911","year":"1911","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"----","buried":"Sun Jun 11 1911","fullName":"James Coleman","veteran":"","id":"bf7fe96d-bf74-4d91-96a5-11ed9b1a1aa1"},{"res":{"id":"5dd0b115-ca8b-4610-8f89-bf84f9775b47","slug":"james-coleman-11-11-4"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"James","middle":"Frederick Clancy","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"James Frederick Clancy Coleman"},"obituary":"

ST. PAUL - Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, June 7, 2006, in St. Paul Catholic Church in St. Paul, Oregon for James F. C. Coleman who died at home June 1 at age 85.

Mr. Coleman was born the son of Curtis and Irene G.

(Gearin) Coleman on Monday May 2, 1921 in Newberg Oregon. He attended grade school in St. Paul and Cham-poeg. He graduated from Newberg High School in 1940,

after which he attended the University of Oregon in Eugene, where he played football and majored in pre-law.

He left Oregon in 1942 to enlist in the Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Regiment in Europe during World War II. On D-Day his division parachuted behind enemy lines and captured the town of Ste-Mere-Eglise, halting the advance of the German army from the west, helping to secure an Allied victory. Mr. Coleman was involved in every major battle in the European Theatre. In the course of the war he made over thirty jumps and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Silver Star, the Soldier's Medal and the Purple Heart for his battlefield achievements.

1946 he was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain, promoted to Major, and returned to St. Paul.

In 1950 he married Helen Ficq of Albany, Oregon, a teacher at St. Paul Union High School. They had six children. Mr. Coleman worked as an encineer for various mechanical engineering firms in the Portland area until his retirement in 1992.

He returned to Normandy for the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion in 1994 and again, in June 2004, for the 60th year celebration. At that time he was presented with Medals of Gratitude from the governments of France, Belgium and Holland.

Survivors include his wife, Helen; daughters Katherine Sheehy, Cornelia Coleman and Caroline Richter; sons, Curtis Coleman, Christopher Coleman and Clinton Coleman: seven grandchildren; and his sister, Maxine Bayer.

Remembrances may be made to New Ambulance Fund in care of St.

Paul Fire Department or St. Paul Catholic Parish, St. Paul Oregon.

Arrangements are in the care of Attrell's Newberg Funeral Chapel, a Golden Rule funeral home.

","media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":"04-02-1921","year":"1921"},"death":{"date":"06-01-2006","year":"2006"},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":null,"year":null,"type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"Sat Apr 02 1921","death":"Thu Jun 01 2006","buried":"----","fullName":"James Coleman","veteran":"","id":"5dd0b115-ca8b-4610-8f89-bf84f9775b47"},{"res":{"id":"eb47de40-7377-4577-9fc9-29a9805cbeb5","slug":"frances-coleman72-9-7-3"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Frances","middle":null,"last":"Coleman72","maiden":null,"full":"Frances Coleman72"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"04-26-1896","year":"1896","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"----","buried":"Sun Apr 26 1896","fullName":"Frances Coleman72","veteran":"","id":"eb47de40-7377-4577-9fc9-29a9805cbeb5"},{"res":{"id":"dd12524f-34b6-45ed-b007-14be2f3e6fa5","slug":"james-coleman-9-8-4"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"James","middle":"E","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"James E Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":"02-16-1905","year":"1905"},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"02-05-1907","year":"1907","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"Thu Feb 16 1905","death":"----","buried":"Tue Feb 05 1907","fullName":"James Coleman","veteran":"","id":"dd12524f-34b6-45ed-b007-14be2f3e6fa5"},{"res":{"id":"e002ec36-b425-485f-bb24-82375efab8ca","slug":"thomas-coleman-19-10-3"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Thomas","middle":null,"last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"Thomas Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":"1854"},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"06-22-1919","year":"1919","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"1854","death":"----","buried":"Sun Jun 22 1919","fullName":"Thomas Coleman","veteran":"","id":"e002ec36-b425-485f-bb24-82375efab8ca"},{"res":{"id":"b77a3de8-f68e-47a8-ac05-ab379482ab40","slug":"john-coleman-8-1-5"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"John","middle":"Franklin","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"John Franklin Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":"1868"},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"09-12-1915","year":"1915","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"1868","death":"----","buried":"Sun Sep 12 1915","fullName":"John Coleman","veteran":"","id":"b77a3de8-f68e-47a8-ac05-ab379482ab40"},{"res":{"id":"ed4e853c-0d40-499a-901f-4e277ddbdece","slug":"irene-coleman-19-4-8"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Irene","middle":null,"last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"Irene Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"08-30-1976","year":"1976","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"----","buried":"Mon Aug 30 1976","fullName":"Irene Coleman","veteran":"","id":"ed4e853c-0d40-499a-901f-4e277ddbdece"},{"res":{"id":"919102a7-1c19-4792-b4e2-e4ec3ffa1e3a","slug":"stephen-coleman-9-8-3"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Stephen","middle":"H.","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"Stephen H. Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":"1857"},"death":{"date":null,"year":null},"veteran":{"status":false,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"12-20-1935","year":"1935","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"1857","death":"----","buried":"Fri Dec 20 1935","fullName":"Stephen Coleman","veteran":"","id":"919102a7-1c19-4792-b4e2-e4ec3ffa1e3a"},{"res":{"id":"ff870549-f7cc-4501-a4f3-fbfeb2ff3804","slug":"curtis-coleman-19-4-4"},"cemetery":{"id":"ci_24bbbf76-cd4f-43a5-b384-c1c49f0dd7a2","slug":"st_paul_cemetery_st-paul_or_usa"},"name":{"first":"Curtis","middle":"H.","last":"Coleman","maiden":null,"full":"Curtis H. Coleman"},"obituary":null,"media":null,"resDetails":{"birth":{"date":null,"year":null},"death":{"date":"07-01-1980","year":"1980"},"veteran":{"status":true,"type":null,"misc":null},"buried":{"date":"07-07-1980","year":"1980","type":"REM","officiant":null}},"birth":"----","death":"Tue Jul 01 1980","buried":"Mon Jul 07 1980","fullName":"Curtis Coleman","veteran":"Yes","id":"ff870549-f7cc-4501-a4f3-fbfeb2ff3804"}]}

Possibly Related

Louise Coleman Casey

Helen Coleman

Robert T. Coleman

C. Maureen Coleman

Joseph D. Coleman

Diana Ruiz Coleman

Albert R Coleman

George Maxwell Coleman

Dora Coleman

Mary E.J. Coleman

James Coleman

James Frederick Clancy Coleman

Frances Coleman72

James E Coleman

Thomas Coleman

John Franklin Coleman

Irene Coleman

Stephen H. Coleman

Curtis H. Coleman

Contact the Cemetery