Helen was born on April 18, 1863 in Leavenworth, the daughter of James J. Shaughnessy and Elizabeth Wyrick. She came from a large family, having 11 brothers and sisters, all of whom reached adulthood. Her father worked for the Missouri Valley Bridge Works as a machinist and steel worker. Her paternal grandparents were born in County Limerick, Ireland, her maternal grandparents in Baden, Germany. In 1922 she married James W. "Jake" DeCoursey III, the son of James W DeCoursey II and his second wife Anna Thompson. They had two children, a daughter Mary and son James W. IV. She and her husband lived their whole lives in Leavenworth.
Related Items:
Picture of Helen, husband Jake and daughter Mary.
A short account of Jake written by their daughter.
Obituaries for her husband Jake and children Mary Dix and James W. "Bud" IV.
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The Leavenworth Times (Leavenworth, Kansas)
Monday, 20 January 1986, p. 5
Helen DeCoursey
Helen A. DeCoursey, 85, 612 Osage, died Sunday in St. John Hospital after an extended illness.
Mrs. DeCoursey was born Sept. 6., 1900, in Leavenworth, the daughter of James and Libby Wyrick Shaughnessy.
She was married to James W. DeCoursey in November 1923. He preceded her in death in 1965. He operated the DeCoursey Creamery.
Mrs. DeCoursey was a member of Immaculate Conception Church, L.C.B.A., Altar Society, American War Mothers, Eagles R.E.A.C., and Eagles Auxiliary.
Survivors include one son, James W. "Bud" DeCoursey Jr., Leavenworth, one daughter, Mrs. Ralph Dix, Leavenworth; four sisters, Mrs. Florence Cooper, and Mrs. Cora Flowers, Leavenworth; Mrs. Katherine Corlett, Kansas City, Mo., Mrs. Mary Kyckelhan, Lincoln, Neb.; two grandchildren, Ralph Dix Jr. and Corey Huffman; and one great-grandchild, Dondi Dix.
Funeral services for Mrs. DeCoursey will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Church. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.
Friends may call at the Blenden-Secton-Sumpter Funeral Chapels after 7 p.m. today. The LCBA and parish rosary will be recited at the chapel at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The family suggests memorials to St. John Hospital.
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