Helen's profession as an R.N. exemplified her compassion and caring for people in need, especially children. She found working as a neonatal nurse most fulfilling and, later in life, she enjoyed volunteering with handicapped children. Helen was blessed with a beautiful soprano singing voice and enjoyed singing at weddings and other events. Her love of animals meant her home always had at least one dog or cat as a pet and she supported animal rescue organizations. Active and social with a zest for life, Helen enjoyed golfing, bowling, tap dancing, playing bridge, movie-going (she loved classic romances and suspense movies) and cooking (her specialties were homemade Italian dishes such as manicotti, lasagna and linguini with calamari, as well as Cornish pasties, a popular dish in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where she grew up). Helen was a wonderful, loving and supportive mother to her two children, Lorie and Michael, their spouses, Christopher and Rachel, and she adored her two beautiful granddaughters, Taylor and Micaela, visiting them often in Dallas until she could no longer travel. Helen was generous, she had a great sense of humor and a joyful laugh you couldn't miss. She loved to throw dinner parties for her friends and her table was always set beautifully to make you feel like a special guest. Helen's beloved dog, Pearl, could always be found at her side and she was with Helen until the last moment of her long, full life.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Helen's favorite local animal rescue, non-profit organization, New Beginnings For Animals, at www.greatpets.org