E. Virginia Helm

Virginia (Heacock) Helm was born April 7, 1919, the daughter of Everett and Bertha Heacock in Portland, Oregon. She passed away peacefully on January 14, 2011 in Long Beach, Washington at age 91. From childhood she had a strong, bold spirit for life, and was fun, clever, creative, optimistic, and whimsical. She was always active, a self-starter, and goal oriented, trying to use her God-given abilities to help others, and make a difference in her world. Totally invested in everything she did, she tackled many commitments and causes, fulfilling many roles at the same time. She attended George Fox University and Seattle Pacific University, earning her teaching degree in 1940. Both universities have since honored her with alumni awards. She taught elementary school in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR. Married in 1942 to Eldon Helm, they had 43 years together until he preceded her in death in 1985. Virginia was a successful wife, mother and grandmother, raising two children, a daughter and a son. She was honored in 1971 as "Oregon State Mother of the Year", chosen as an example of strong moral and spiritual motherhood. While raising her children, she was also active in her community, leading education programs and as president of the PTA. She taught children's Bible story clubs after school and led a Camp Fire Girls group. Concerned about literacy, she tutored English as a second language. A trained and spontaneous speaker on social and spiritual concerns, she addressed women's retreats, banquets, and conventions. One of her special ministries was sending cards and writing encouraging letters to family and friends around the world. Throughout her life, she wrote newsletter articles, speeches, poetry, devotionals and diaries until her hand could no longer write. Another ministry was visiting people who were elderly or disabled. Concerned about the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs in society, she taught seminars on prevention, and was active in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU), where she served as both Oregon State President and Vice President. Virginia was proud of her Quaker heritage, and was a life long member of Reedwood Friends Church, leading Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, youth groups, and camps at Twin Rocks Friends Camp in the summers. She taught many small group Women's Bible Studies, and was active in Christian Women's Clubs. Later, as President of Friends Women's ministries, she traveled to churches throughout the Pacific Northwest to speak and encourage women. In retirement, Virginia and her husband served for ten years as overseas missionaries in Guatemala, Kenya, Botswana, Dominican Republic, and Haiti, where they had many inspiring experiences. In 2006 she moved to the Long Beach, Washington Peninsula to be nearer her daughter. Her vivacious, loving personality will be missed by many, including the family she loved: daughter Coral Hughes and husband Bob of Ocean Park, WA; son Everett Helm and wife Carroll of Mulino, OR; grandson Daniel Helm and wife Lisa and great-grand-daughter Nora Helm of Portland, OR; and grand-daughter Sara DuVal and husband Alan, and great-grandson William DuVal of Molalla, OR. All are welcome to a celebration of life memorial service on Saturday, February 5, 2011, 3:00 PM at Reedwood Friends Church, 2901 SE Steele St., Portland, Oregon. In lieu of flowers, Virginia requested memorial funds to go to the causes she loved: Reedwood Friends Church (for children & youth): 2901 SE Steele St., Portland, OR 97202; NW Yearly Meeting of Friends (for missionaries): 200 N. Meridian, Newberg, OR 97132; George Fox University (for scholarships): memorial fund #6256, 414 N. Meridian, Newberg, OR 97132-5890; or Seattle Pacific University (for scholarships): Gifts, Development, 3307 - 3rd Ave. W., Seattle, WA 98119-1997. Her guestbook is available at www.penttilaschapel.com.