Helen Marie Thompson Cutcher

Helen Marie Thompson Cutcher, 95, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, December 11, 2018. Helen was born in Knoxville on November 26, 1923. Her parents had relocated here from Chicago in 1917 after her father, David L. Thompson, Sr., was engaged to help with the construction of the Fulton Sylphon Company on Kingston Pike. Helen graduated from Knoxville High School in 1942 and went to work in the chemistry lab of the Aluminum Company of America in Alcoa, as part of an influx of women in the World War II workforce. After the war was over, she trained a returning veteran to take over her job. The veteran, Chalmers F. Cutcher, Jr., would become her husband in 1948. Helen soon found a better job in a chemistry lab at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she happily worked until 1957. She then “retired” to the slightly more demanding job of motherhood. Helen was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church for 60 years. She volunteered without complaint for many years in pre-computer days to laboriously transcribe textbooks into Braille for use by blind students, using an awkward, clunking manual machine. Apart from her grandchildren, her great joy was her extensive wildflower garden. Her sweetness, kindness, and good humor will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Preceded in death by her father, mother, and stepmother; her loving husband of almost 58 years, Chalmers F. Cutcher, Jr.; five sisters, three brothers, two step-sisters, and one step-brother. Survived by her daughter Margaret A. Muzyn and husband Leonard of Walden, Tenn.; son John of Knoxville; grandchildren Christopher Muzyn of Knoxville; Gregory Muzyn of Knoxville; and Jeffrey Muzyn of Walden, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 18, 2018 at 11:30 AM at the heated rotunda at Lyons View Veterans Cemetery on Lyons View Pike, Rev. Skip White officiating. A reception and light refreshments will follow at St. Mark United Methodist Church, 7001 Northshore Drive, Knoxville at 12:30 PM. Contributions in memory of Helen may be made to St. Mark United Methodist Church or Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com

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Helen Marie Thompson Cutcher

November 26, 1923 - December 11, 2018