Carolyn (Irwin) Feimster Helms

August 14, 1929 - April 29, 2025

In Loving Memory

Attica - Carolyn (Irwin) Feimster Helms, 95, was born in Home Hospital, Lafayette, IN on August 14, 1929, the daughter of Madge (Miller) and O. William "Bill" Irwin. The house she came home to was in Attica, built by her father on Honeymoon Hill in 1924, and it remained her home through the years, whether or not she was living there.

Carolyn graduated from Attica High School in 1947 and from Purdue University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the School of Liberal Arts. She forged many life-long friendships as a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority and was honored to be part of the first Homecoming Queen Court in the Fall of 1950.

The lure of fashion took her to Miami, Florida, where she worked in the fashion industry for 30 years. Her career began with Burdines Department Store where she was a staff model and then Assistant to the Fashion Director. She traveled throughout the States, the Caribbean, Central and South America as a model and coordinator. She closed her career as Directrice of Yves Saint Laurent Boutique on Miami Beach which took her on numerous buying trips to New York City and Paris, France.

Carolyn married Connor Jackson Feimster on March 6, 1953, in the Church-by-the-Sea in Bal Harbour, Florida. They welcomed their daughter, Carolyn Jane, on July 19, 1954, and brought her to their home in Miami Shores. They divorced in 1980 at which time Carolyn returned to her home in Attica.

On October 13, 1985, Carolyn married Doan Helms, Jr., at the Attica First United Methodist Church. Doan had followed a similar path of graduating from Attica High School, then pursuing a career in advertising, in the Chicago area. When they reunited in 1985 at the High School Alumni Banquet, sparks flew and they had twenty wonderful years together. They loved their home town roots and became active in community affairs which rewarded them by being chosen "Citizens of the Year" in 1989.

Carolyn was a member of the Attica First United Methodist Church from the time she was on the Cradle Roll. In later years, she served on the church's Board of Trustees and Altar Guild. She loved to play cards and was an avid bridge player, belonging to several different groups. She was Past President of the Monday Afternoon Club, and enjoyed volunteering as Secretary of the Attica Community Foundation, and the Attica Park Board. But her first love was Fountain County Landmarks and, with her husband, chaired the fund-raising galas.

Among her favorite hobbies were entertaining, decorating for each season, cooking, and she always loved opening her home to family and friends.

She enjoyed traveling and took many trips with her Aunt Ruth, her Dad and Doan. Plus, she and her daughter did an annual road trip to and from CJ's condo in Hollywood, FL, where Carolyn would spend a few months each winter. The two of them did some amazing trips such as to Barbados and, their favorite one, to Croatia.

After a long battle with cancer, Carolyn passed away in her home with her daughter by her side on April 29, 2025.

Carolyn leaves behind her daughter, Carolyn J. "C.J." Feimster-Rothrock; a step-daughter, Jan (John) Hendricks; a step-son, Greg (Janice) Helms; Grandchildren, Bridget Rothrock; Laura Rothrock Acs; Jen (Mark) Mitchel; Josh (Courtney) Hendricks; Tony Helms; Nick (Sarah) Helms; Christina Helms (Mathew) Jackson; a nephew, Dr. Lee Irwin and numerous other loving family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Madge and Bill Irwin; husband, Doan Helms; Son-in-law, David Rothrock; Brother, William "Bill" Irwin; first husband, Connor Jackson Feimster and a step-son, Jack Helms.

Friends may call at the Attica First United Methodist Church, 200 E. Jackson St., Attica, on Thursday, May 8th, from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. and from 12:00 p.m. until the service time at the church on Friday, May 9th at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Kate Walker officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverside Cemetery, Attica. Following the burial, friends and family are invited back to Carolyn's home to celebrate her life from 3pm-6pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fountain County Landmarks, P.O. Box 24, Attica, IN 47918 or the Attica Community Foundation, P.O. Box 161, Attica, IN 47918.