Helen Rowena Roemisch

Helen Rowena Bryden Roemisch of West Columbia, TX passed away Friday, June 9, 2023 peacefully, surrounded by people who loved and cared for her. Born April 15, 1942 in Oklahoma City to John Michael Bryden and Bessie Jewell Bryden, she was the oldest of four children. Helen repeatedly overcame challenges life threw at her and used them as a springboard for change. With a sharp intellect, and a lifelong love of learning, Helen earned a Master of Education at Sam Houston University, with additional certifications in Special Education from the University of Houston. After a difficult childhood, Helen was so motivated to be independent that she finished her undergrad in under four years. Her teaching career spanned more than two decades with Houston ISD and Columbia-Brazoria ISD, as well as for the state prison system (Darington, Ramsey). She preferred the prisoners to the school administrators. Statuesque, stylish, and never shy, she was always up for an adventure. Helen was an avid skier and met her future husband David on a Houston Ski Club trip. They married in 1972 and had two sons, Royce and Rory. Together they took lots of family road trips in a custom red and white van, whether skiing in Colorado and New Mexico or visiting Sanibel Island, Florida. The foursome had many wonderful years together until David's unexpected death at only 44 years old. Determined that her boys would be well-provided for, she used his life insurance proceeds to increase her real estate investments and had a successful stint flipping houses in three states for the next 25 years. Sending her two sons to their colleges of choice, Notre Dame for Royce, and the University of Texas for Rory, was one of her proudest accomplishments. After surviving breast cancer, Helen returned to overseeing the renovation of dozens of properties. She was a champion for those in need that crossed her path and gave unique opportunities to many that were down on their luck to find work or own a home. She was a longtime resident of Columbia Lakes and spent several years in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas and Paducah, Kentucky. Helen was a passionate crafter and collector of antique furniture and art. She loved to go to garage sales and auctions. A skilled seamstress, she acquired an interest in quilting, and within a couple years she was a Master Quilter, featured on the cover of the American Quilter's Society Magazine and sewing samples for Quiltworx with Judy Niemeyer. Helen was a Bronze Life Master in the game of bridge, a member of multiple guilds and known for hosting big card games at her house. She loved politics, sports and her Ragdoll cats Olivia and Jackson. She enjoyed traveling and trying new things her entire life. She lived for drama, nothing thrilled her more than a good story or the latest scandal. Helen was unconventional, known for being unapologetically brash and flamboyant, but she always seemed to make things work out her way. Helen was an eternal optimist who was tough, but truly loved people. She raised two free-range sons by herself, long before the concept was popular, and she always had their backs. She even took in others that were in need of a home. She taught them all to believe in themselves and follow their dreams. The same wild encouragement continued to her grandchildren, who she absolutely adored. Trips to Grandma's came with golf cart rides, lots of treats and few rules. She will be missed so much! Helen was preceded in death by her husband, David Roemisch, sister Mary Lynn Bryden, and niece Emily Stephens. She is survived by sons Royce Roemisch and his wife Holly, and their children Rhys, Cecily, and Rhett, and Rory Roemisch and his wife Rebecca, and daughter Rosemary. She is also survived by her sister Carol Bryden Stephens and her husband Al Stephens, and niece Christine Kennedy, and brother Michael Bryden, and nephew Richard Stephenson. Helen's family is thankful for the compassionate care of K's Place Personal Care Home and her many capable caregivers. A celebration of Helen's life will be held at Palms Funeral Home in Angleton, on Saturday, the 17th of June at ten o'clock in the morning. Interment immediately following at Columbia Cemetery in West Columbia, TX. Service Details. Visitation When Saturday, June 17th, 2023 10:00am - 10:45am Location Palms Funeral Home Address 2300 E. Mulberry ANGLETON, TX 77515 Service When Saturday, June 17th, 2023 10:45am Location Palms Funeral Home Address 2300 E. Mulberry ANGLETON, TX 77515 Interment Location Columbia Cemetery Address East Jackson Street at South 16th Street WEST COLUMBIA, TX 77486 Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book