Barbara Sue Parker Helmer, our Songbird, passed away peacefully at home on September 5, 2023. Born to William H. “Red” and Alice Parker on March 6, 1938, she was the eldest of four children. Barb was raised in Centralia, Illinois and graduated from Centralia Township High School in 1956. Those who knew her then might remember her as a cheerleader, senior class vice-president, and member of the Pep Club, Latin Club, and Student Council. Singing for others at a very young age in her church and school choirs, it soon became clear that her voice was something special.

If you know Barb from her younger years, you can still hear her song.

A 1959 graduate of the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri, Barb began her career at Jewish Hospital as a rehab nurse and instructor, and a few years later took her skills to St. John’s Mercy Hospital. Being a natural leader, she soon moved into the position of Evening House Supervisor. During this time, she also attended Webster College, receiving her Master of Arts degree in 1979. She later became Director of Nursing, a title she held until her retirement from St. John’s in 1994.

In the mid- to late 1960s, Barb could be found fulfilling her nursing duties during the day and singing her heart out at nightclubs all around St. Louis in the evenings. “The spirited blond works Mondays through Fridays as an assistant instructor of in-service learning at Jewish Hospital…but on Thursday evenings, she swaps her crisply starched uniform for a glittering mint dress and three nights of vocal crowd pleasing.” (St. Louis Globe-Democrat, Friday, June 21, 1968) 

Little did Barb know that pursuing her passion of singing would lead her to meet the man she would later marry when she accepted a singing job with the Bill Hulub Trio at the Montclair Hotel. “Her easy rise to popularity has meant many happy times, the happiest of which was April 15, 1967, when she married Jack Helmer, the trio’s bass player.” Barb and Jack went on to be married for nearly 55 years before his passing in the spring of 2022. 

While working as an RN and making a name for herself on the jazz club scene, Barb began building her family with Jack in St. Louis. Professional gigs were eventually put to the side as raising children became her priority. Although extremely proud of her achievements in the nursing and music world, Barb’s greatest points of pride were her children, grandchildren, and the life she and Jack were able to provide for them.

If you know Barb from her working years, you can still hear her song.

With children raised and retirement in full swing, the performing bug crept its way back in, calling her to share that velvety voice once again in nursing homes, retirement communities, and various stages around town. Whether it was at the Sheldon, the Grandel, or the Clayton High School stage, Barb showered her audience with songs from the Great American Songbook, reminding them of days gone by. Most recently, she performed with the St. Louis Showstoppers, an all-volunteer group of performers that produce an annual musical revue to support cancer research at the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. In addition to performing with the group, she directed their shows for the past 9 years, served on the board, and until her passing, served as board president.

If you know Barb from her retired years, you can still hear her song.

Barbara had the happiest disposition, and her laugh was contagious. The simple things in life always brought a smile to her face: a good back scratch, chocolate covered cherries, sharing meals with friends and family, fresh-cut flowers, a satisfying sneeze, a pair of black pants that fit without having to be altered, a perfectly cooked pork chop, and daily phone conversations with her brother and/or her best friend, Brenda.

Barb had the good fortune to say goodbye to her family and many dear friends before her passing. She is lovingly remembered as Mom/Ma/Mammy to daughter Alison (Christopher) and son Matthew (Jenna), Barbara Sue to siblings Dan (Ricci), Denise, and Dona, Baba to granddaughters Lily and Abby, Aunt Barbara to nephew Chris (Pat), and Aunt Boggin to nephews Jeff (Alison), Dave, and Ben (Emilie), and niece Jamie. She is cherished by numerous cousins, extended family, and friends.

Barb’s life has been chronicled in various newspaper articles over the years. From her wedding and her innovative work in the rehabilitative health field to juggling her day job as an RN while making her mark as a professional singer, we are lucky to have such detailed accounts. Although it is unknown from which publication the following quote originated, it speaks to who Barb was and will always be to those who knew her: “This lovely and talented ‘Nightingale’ soars on gossamer wings from one end of the night to the other, singing the old and the new, happy and blue. A sure cure for what ails you.”

“The song is ended, but the melody lingers on.”  ~ Irving Berlin

Barb’s life will be celebrated at a private gathering in the coming weeks. Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a donation to either:

Mercy South Hospice, 10024 Kennerly Road, St. Louis, MO 63128

Online donations can be made at https://mercyhealthfoundation.net/ by clicking the Donate Now button, then fill out the online form, selecting Missouri > South > SOU deGreefe Hospice House/Hospice Care

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St. Louis Showstoppers, 209 Pebble Acres Drive, St. Louis, MO 63141