Mary Helen Hook

Mary Helen Hook was 93 years old when she died on December 5, 2024. She was dearly loved by her family and the many friends whose lives she touched.

Mary Helen was born in Eureka, IL on April 27, 1931, to Laurence and Mary Naffziger. She graduated from North Central College in Naperville, IL, where she met her husband of 59 years, James S. Hook (Bluffton, IN). She obtained her master’s degree from the University of St. Francis, Ft. Wayne, IN, and taught high school home economics for many years.

Mary Helen was a devoted partner in her husband’s ministry in the United Methodist Church (UMC) North Indiana Conference. Together, they served congregations in the Burr Oak and Pretty Lake circuit, Churubusco UMC (Churubusco), Centennial UMC (Gary), Crescent Avenue UMC (Fort Wayne), Woodmar UMC (Hammond), and St. Mark's UMC (Decatur) before retiring to Syracuse and then to Indianapolis, where she was a member of Horizons of Faith UMC and later attended St. Luke’s UMC.

Mary Helen had the gift of genuine hospitality and rarely met a stranger. She always had a listening ear and a ready meal for those in need or anyone who just stopped by to visit. She gave generously of her time and talents and was guided by her faith in all she did.

She will be greatly missed by her children: James (Pattie), John (Nancy), Matthew (Jody) and Mary Dickerson (DuBoris), and her 11 living grandchildren and their spouses, and five great grandchildren. Mary Helen was preceded in death by her husband James S. Hook and their daughter Elizabeth Ann Hook.

Family and friends will celebrate her life on Monday, December 30, 2024, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. and a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 4780 126th Street, Carmel, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief ℅ Global Ministries/UMCOR, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068 or Bread for the World, P.O. Box 96416, Washington, DC 20090-6416.