Helen Rose McIntosh (Horton), 76, of Kirkwood, MO, left our earthly plane peacefully, on December 4, 2016.

Helen was born in 1940 to Nolan and Laura (Featherston) Horton in Artesia, NM, and grew up in Ponca City, OK. She started college in 1958 as a math major at Oklahoma State University, but switched to science out of concern that in that era her slide rule might hinder her social prospects. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. While teaching high school chemistry in Dallas TX, she met algebra teacher John W. “Wally” McIntosh who thought she was “more beautiful than calculus”. They married August 28, 1965 in Ponca City, OK. Both saved their slide rules. Helen often spoke of how thankful she was for his support of her career and his partnership in raising their children.

Helen and John shared a love of the outdoors, which they both traced to childhood visits to relatives’ farms in Texas. The family camped frequently in the Ozarks, where Helen liked to show off the efficient fire building techniques that she learned with her sister Emily. Helen encouraged her children and their friends to play in the rain and snow, and welcomed all into their home afterwards. She enjoyed travel and fulfilled her lifelong dream of seeing China. She was especially interested in North America’s Pre-Columbian Indian Mounds.

She sang in the car with her children on family trips and was a fan of the St. Louis Symphony. She loved dancing, and her kids thought her yellow calico square dance dress, with Dad’s green western suit, looked just as good as anything on Hee-Haw. She learned the Ponca Indian tradition of finger weaving from her mother and taught it to her children and friends.

Helen had a lifelong interest in how the mind works, and how we each connect to the wider universe. With degrees from St. Louis University, MS(Chemistry)1970 and PhD(Pharmacology)1985, she worked in neuroscience research at Washington University and St. Louis University. In retirement, she was a healing touch volunteer and an active member of Eliot Unitarian Chapel, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Missourians for Honest Elections, Missouri Mutual UFO Network, Institute of Noetic Sciences, and Interfaith Partnership of St. Louis.

Helen is survived by her husband of 51 years, John W. McIntosh; children, Michele McIntosh of Raleigh, NC, Katherine “Kathy” (Jason Davis) McIntosh of Webster Groves, MO, and John “Doug” McIntosh of Seattle, WA; daughter in law, Shyra Brooke; grandchildren, Laura Davis, Samantha McIntosh, and Morgan Davis; sister, Emily (David) Stratton of Norman, OK; brother in law, Jim (Wanda) McIntosh of Forney, TX, and extended family and friends who were each uniquely touched by her presence in their lives. Helen was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Nolan Horton Jr, to whom she always looked up.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at The Quarters of Des Peres, Mercy Hospice, Eliot Chapel Pastoral Care Associates, Crestview Senior Living, and Helen’s friends.

Much of Helen’s work focused on the potential use of THC to treat diseases including Alzheimer’s; hers progressed more quickly than the public acceptance of medical marijuana that might have helped her.

Donations may be made in her memory to: Eliot Unitarian Chapel (www.eliotchapel.org), Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org), or other organizations she supported.

SERVICE INFORMATION:
Celebration of Life
Saturday May 6, 2017
10:00am
Eliot Unitarian Chapel
100 South Taylor Avenue
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122

After the service we will have a picnic lunch at Kirkwood Park. Come to share memories and a bite to eat with Helen’s family, friends, and colleagues. On the menu are hot dogs, hamburgers, bratwurst, and a small choice of salads and drinks.

Local friends and family are invited (but not required) to bring a dessert to share. If you plan to attend the picnic, RSVP by email, No Later than April 25th, to Kathy McIntosh, captainbreadfist@yahoo.com or Michele McIntosh, michele.mcintosh.nc@gmail.com