Sorry, I hit the wrong button .... just want to add my saddness at her passing and how great it was to have known her and, more than that even, to have had her as my "Aunt Helen".
I can't remember exactly when I realized that my Aunt Helen wasn't a movie star (or maybe Cinderella). The little girl I was flashes back to lots of happy sounds, laughter and smiles when she was around -- so a graceful and beautiful. Why, she just had to be a movie star or a fairy princess .... I mean she had a grand wedding and married Prince Charming and they lived in California ...California!
My brothers and I were supposed to sleep in the back of our station wagon one night when my folks went to a drive in movie -- I peeked over the seat top and was thrilled to see my "Aunt Helen" on the screen. I now know it was Lana Turner.
Years later she told me about advice she got from some older guy she worked with about serving the first meal to your new husband and how important it was to get it right and that would make the rest of the marriage right. She was laughing at the time but it seems to have worked for her (though she never actually said how her first breakfast for Uncle Gordon come out).
And then there was the the Thanksgiving when my Dad was at one end of the table and asked her at the other end of the table to pass the butter. So she did, she tossed it. The whole table was slient and breathless as the butter dish flew through the air. He caught it just before the stick could slide off the plate. Grandpa said nothing; Grandma shook her head and everyone else burst into laughter.
She touched so many lives so happily and joyously .... left so many wonderful memories ...
While living in San Jose during the 60's and 70's, The Hender's - Tom, Anna, Valerie, Kirsteen, and Heather - often got together with the Hadley's to celebrate the holidays, Easter, etc. We lived just around the corner and I remember visiting "Aunt Helen" and "Uncle Gordon," and Carol and Barbie quite often. They were like family to us, hence the familial titles. When my sister, Kirsteen, was born, mom was in the hospital for about a week, and Aunt Helen took care of me during the day until daddy got home from work. My mom got a phone call from Helen one particularly warm spring day to tell her that I insisted on wearing my Scottish kilt - made of wool - to school, and my mom told her to let me wear it (and yes, I roasted in that thing!) Another good memory is the time we had the Hadley's over for Thanksgiving dinner. As little girls, I remember us running around in the garage after dinner while the wind blew the leaves all around. As was tradition, our families got together every year and went up to the Santa Cruz Mountains to find the perfect Christmas tree, and then stopped off for breakfast at a local restaurant before heading for home. Fun times, cherished memories! Also remember going over to the Hadley's and making Christmas trees out of Reader's Digest magazines which I thought was pretty neat! I remember how well our parents got along and those happy times spent together. :)
Helen and her husband, Gordon, until his passing, were two of my favorite Covenant folder couples to call as they rarely were unable to say 'yes' to come help prepare the church newsletter for mailing to our congregation. Being in charge of any volunteer project can be frustrating, but Helen and Gordon were always happy to be asked and John Benner, my most regular Covenant volunteer, was always delighted to learn Gordon and Helen were going to be on his team any particular month. It gives me comfort to know they are all together again in heaven. No more paper cuts, just lots of laughs and joy in each others company. I miss them all.
My favorite memory of Aunt Helen was meeting her and Uncle Gordon outside of Chicago when they flew in to see family. Uncle Gordon told me they were staying near Midway airport. Once I got there and called Uncle Gordon, he told me they were actually staying out side of O'hare. So, I turned the car around and we enjoyed dinner an hour later! Aunt Helen always had good stories about Papa and loved getting pictures of Noah. She made Noah a beautiful blanket. We will miss you!
Love,
Carly, Patrick, Noah and Joey
