Kathleen Kaiser
Contributing Writer

Born and raised in Belleville, Illinois, Helen Grandcolas is a woman who wanted to make the most of her life, and change her world and her community, all at the same time. Not many women "back in the day" had the opportunity to go on to college, but Helen felt that further education would be the key to her success in life. After finishing High School at Belleville Township at the age of 17, she headed off to Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL, where she graduated with an AB degree in education in 1937. After graduation, she returned home to Belleville to teach at both the elementary and junior high levels for Belleville School District 118. "I loved teaching the children and enjoyed my time so much with them, but my heart was still aching to do more with my life," Helen said. "My father died at a very young age, so I knew it would be my responsibility as the eldest of 6 - me and my five younger brothers - to do what I could do for my family and to take care of my mother Ella and my Aunt Flo. I decided that the best thing for me to do would be to leave teaching and go into the business world, so that is what I did."

Helen began working for the National American Red Cross in 1943 (Currently known as the American Red Cross), during World War II, commuting to their office in St. Louis every day. "I loved commuting back and forth to St. Louis and having my own car. It gave me a sense of independence that everyone in their life should experience at least once," Helen said. She went back to school for a Masters in Business from St. Louis University while working in St. Louis, and graduated with that degree in 1959.

Helen served as the Director of Personnel at the American Red Cross for 33 years, retiring in 1978. "I cannot explain to your readers how fulfilling working for the ARC was. Besides being able to manage people throughout the organization all over the United States and in foreign countries, it gave me the ability to travel the world." And travel the world she did. Helen spent 4 years in Japan, helping with aid efforts after the war. Not knowing a lot of Japanese, but enough to get by, Helen spent much of her time trying to learn more of the language and the customs of Japan. "I stayed with a wonderful family over there by the name of Matsuzaki. Their daughter Ayako, is still one of my best friends today. When I returned to the States, Ayako and her brother returned shortly thereafter. They decided to relocate from Japan to the United States and settled in St. Louis, MO. For many, many years, Ayako was the harpist for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. I still see them periodically as we try to visit one another often throughout the year."

Helen is a well traveled woman. In addition to her time in Japan, she has been on an African safari and has travelled from London to Venice on the Orient Express.

Helen loved her commute back and forth from St. Louis so much, she decided to stay in her "Home Town," so back in the early 1960's, she purchased a lot on Blackburn Drive in Belleville and had a home built for her and her family to enjoy. "Having the ability to build my very own home was the "American Dream", so once I could afford to do it, I did it."

Besides being involved in her humanitarian missions through her profession, Helen has always been civic minded, and she became involved in many local organizations over the years. From being an honorary life member of the American Association of University Women, to serving on the St. Elizabeth's Hospital Auxiliary and as a Eucharistic Minister and Lecturer at St. Augustine's Catholic Church, to receiving her Doctorate degree from Illinois College in 1987, to being a charter member of the St. Clair County Historical Society.

Helen is even credited with developing the very first guide for the St. Clair County Historical Society's walking tour of the City of Belleville. According to Judge Annette Eckert, the St Clair County Historical Society still uses that same tour guide today, "Helen has been such a devoted member of the Society for so many years and has made such substantial contributions, it is hard to even know where to start telling you about all that she has done."

Through all her experiences, Helen has had a wonderful journey through her life. When I asked if she had any second thoughts she explained "I have enjoyed being involved with so many organizations over the years; I have found it really hard to slow down in the last year or so. I'm 95 now and even though people always wondered why I didn't get married and have children, it wasn't that I didn't want to....I did! My life just didn't work out that way. I was always so busy providing aid to thousands and thousands of people during disastrous times throughout the United States and the World; I just didn't focus on living my life the "traditional way". Besides, when you absolutely love what you do, you know in your heart that is what you should be doing with your life. I hope that is what your readers will take away from this after they read about my life."