Helen Woodruff

Helen Morley Woodruff, 91, of Flora, died at 8 p.m. Monday, April 9, 2012 at St. Elizabeth East Hospital, Lafayette.

She was born Sept. 28, 1920 in New York City, to Christopher and Helen Fairchild Morley. She married Dr. Whitney Woodruff, who preceded her in death in 1976.

Mrs. Woodruff graduated from Manhassett High School and attended Smith College for one year. She was the daughter of poet, essayist, and novelist Christopher Morley. She was a stage director; director of children’s programming for NBC television, New York City; director of theatrical companies in Long Island, Atlantic City, and northern Minnesota; founding director of the Junior Theatre in Eveleth, Minn. and the Northern Lights Players in Virginia, Minn.  

She is survived by a brother-in-law: Peter Cochrane of Edinburgh, Scotland; two sons, John (partner Jeff) Woodruff of Sacramento, Calif., and Tony (wife Grace) Woodruff of Cutler; two grandsons: Reuben Woodruff of London, England and Peter Woodruff of Salt Lake City, Utah.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son: Twain Woodruff; two sisters: Louise Cochrane and Blythe Brennan; one brother: the Rev. Christopher Morley, Jr.; and one brother-in-law: James Brennan.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 5th at 11:00 AM at the Flora Methodist Church.  Family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, American Lung Association, or American Cancer Society.

Genda Funeral Home Reinke chapel is in charge of arrangements.