1970-1971: Helen tenderly nurses her second husband during his final illness. Richard Roelofs, Jr dies in 1971.
Float faded image of RRJr’s obituary?
1970’s: To combat mourning, Helen embarks on most productive period of her artistic career: sculpting, designing, and re-photographing many of the sites she and Ernie had recorded decades earlier.
Insert 1973 arkeo photos. Compare one to 1930/40’s version, preferably Kilteel. Perhaps use 1940’s and 1970’s turf photos?
1970’s: Helen proves an excellent street photographer. She captures spontaneous whimsy and influence of modern culture on Ireland using both color and black & white film
Insert photos from Summerhill (b & w); color of her “self-portrait” in mirror; color shots of Dubliners; b & w photos of Irish people and scenes (air hostess, Fran Fagan’s shop ladies, bog cycle).
1973: American Irish Historical Society of NYC sponsors exhibit of HH’s photos, sculpture and art at her home in CT.
Mid 1970’s: Helen photographs and sculpts many family and friends, including famous Irish artists, writers and performers. Her work captures the soul and spirit of the Irish people. Helen’s photos take on a poignant edge as if she’s saying goodbye to Ireland’s former way of life.
Insert 1970’s photos of Seanachai and the contemporary sheep negotiations.
1979: Helen, determined to leave a legacy of her Irish Art to the nation, proposes a museum be created in Ernie’s home county of Mayo. The Irish American Cultural Institute welcomes the initial O’Malley Collection project.
1989: with help of her son, Cormac, Helen establishes O’Malley Art Award to recognize outstanding achievements in Irish Visual Art.
1992: The Irish Museum of Modern Art, Kilmainham, Dublin exhibits Helen’s photographs. The University of Limerick opens their permanent exhibit of the Helen Hooker O’Malley Roelofs Sculpture Collection. She presents Co. Mayo an ancient Celtic Cross shaft and a mythical sculpture by Irish artist Peter Grant that she had purchased at the 1939 World’s Fair in New York.
Insert scan of program/catalog from exhibits and screenshot of UL collection homepage or a portrait of one of those sculptures. Consider insertion of Cross Shaft from Westport and Grant’s Sculpture in Castlebar if one can be found.
2 April 1993: Helen dies at the age of 88 in her home in Greenwich CT. She leaves behind a collection of nearly 20,000 negatives and prints.
Need photo of boxes of labeled film envelopes.
Insert photo of Helen in her later years, perhaps holding her first sculpture of the rabbit.
