Gee, where do I begin? I have known Helen ALL my life, as she started out being my babysitter! And that was about 42 years ago. We only lived a few houses apart from each other in La Mirada, California, when my own mother was a school teacher.

I knew then, what I MOST CERTAINLY know now, Helen has ALWAYS been a very special part of my life, and she will always have a very special place in my heart! She was like a second mother to me and my brother Jeff. She was always there when I just needed to either vent, or cry on someone’s shoulder, or just to laugh with. Helen had so much common sense, and she shared it with everyone around her, family, friend’s, or even a lost soul on the street. I never heard her speak negatively about anyone; she was always the positive force behind each and everyone one of us.

I will never forget several years ago, very late at night, my mother, brother and I got in the car and just drove to Beaumont to be with Helen and her huge heart! She was always there for us, no matter how small the situation, or even how large; the door was always open! She cared for me with loving thoughts and opened her heart to me.

I will never forget another incident while she was living in Beaumont and I was a lot younger. We were at Helen's for the week-end during the summertime, and Helen had mentioned something about going swimming. I was bound and determined to go, even though it was getting late in the evening. Then all of a sudden Helen bursted out laughing hysterically, and we will just leave it at that for now. That was just the way she was, just trying to keep everyone laughing. I know how mom’s can be, and I am sure Helen had her moments, but she was a wonderful person, and she was fortunate enough to have 5 wonderful children that were raised with the important values of life in general. I felt like she was a second mom to me as well, because there sure were some times when I thought that one mother was enough, and sometimes, it is not!

Helen touched each and everyone of us that she knew and came in contact with in a very special way, a way that I personally will never forget! And, I know that I am a better person just for the pleasure of having her in my life, and for her always being there when I needed to talk to my very own angel sitting on my shoulder; whether it be good or bad. I truly feel that there will always be a part of Helen inside of me, and that is a treasure that I will never forget.

I know that right now, Helen is smiling down on each and every one of us with this most magnificent glow that she has always been known for. Heaven opened it’s gates wide when this beautiful person ascended upward. Helen, I love you!

I write this in extreme “LOVING MEMORY” of a beautiful person both inside and out, and I am so glad that you are finally pain-free, and you are in that most wondrous of bright lights!

With Very Much Love & Admiration,

Dawn Engle

5-26-2002