UTAH Services for Helen

Several people have asked about when and where Helen's burial will be in Utah.

There will be a short service on Friday, December 28, 2:00 p.m.
Blackburn Mortuary
15 E 100 N
Vernal, Utah

I was told Blackburn Mortuary on First North, which is the only mortuary in Vernal.

Mapquest shows it as:

Thomson-Blackburn Vernal Mort
Mitchell Blackburn
15 E 100 N, Vernal, UT 84078
435-789-2611

Jim and Matt will be going out, and possibly Rachel. Rebecca, and Mike and his family live out there, so they will be there also.

And I would also like to repeat our Heartfelt Thanks to those who have added comments and shared memories so far. We are collecting these in a notebook and giving them to Helen’s family, so please feel free to leave a message if you would like to do so.

Thank you!

--Kathey

Schedule and Addresses for Ohio Services for Helen

Helen Passed away about 11:30 a.m. on Monday December 17th.

On Friday, December 21
There will be a viewing 6-8 Friday night
Belton-Stroup Funeral Home
422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Rd.
Fairborn, Ohio 45324
Phone: 879-0800

On Saturday December 22
10-11 a.m. Viewing at the church followed by
11:00 a.m. Funeral Service
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3080 Bell Drive
Fairborn, Ohio 45324

The burial will be in Utah.

Heartfelt thanks to those who have added comments and shared memories so far. We are collecting these in a notebook and giving them to Helen’s family, so please feel free to leave a message if you would still like to do so.

A Great Lady Has Left Us

Helen passed away this morning. Rachel told me that the nursing home called about 7:30 a.m. and said that she had taken a turn for the worse. Helen asked that her husband be called, and after that she didn’t respond any more. She wasn’t expected to make it through the day so they went right over.

Jim, daughter Rachel and her husband Keith, and son Matt and his wife were there with her, as were quite a few close friends. Rachel said the room was full. She told me that people flocked to the nursing home when they got the word. Rachel also said she was holding her mom’s hand, and about 11:30 Helen just stopped breathing. It was a peaceful transition.

The viewing will be Friday night, December 21, at Belton Funeral Home in Fairborn. The funeral will be at the church on Saturday, most likely in the morning. Times have yet to be determined and will be posted soon.

A Parable of Immortality
by Henry Van Dyke

"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sun and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says ‘There she goes!’

“Gone where? Gone from my sight--that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the places of destination.

“Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says, ‘There she goes!’ there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, ‘Here she comes!’”

“Dear Abby,” by Abigail Van Buren
Fairborn Daily Herald, July 26, 1996

About Visiting at the Nursing Home

I was mistaken when I said in the last post that Jim got to the nursing home about 7:30. Sorry--don't know where that came from. His updated version follows: --K

This is from Jim: "I usually try to be there from 6-8:30 PM and I would welcome someone just to talk to, plus, I think Helen has some ability to hear our conversations. People can visit during the day also; they just need to understand she will not be able to visit.

"Thanks for setting up this web site."

The Latest From Jim About Helen

Jim said it is OK to stop by the nursing home if you would like to see Helen. She is sedated much of the time, so she will probably not be able to respond to you. However, if she is awake she will probably be able to hear you.

Hospice is helping, which is much appreciated, but it's still a very difficult time for the family. Jim says he is doing OK, all things considered, but it would be especially nice if people could stop by in the evenings and visit with Jim and Rachel for an hour or so when they are there with Helen. He usually gets there about 7:30.

He recently sent out this e-mail message: "Helen is in a nursing home and is unable to communicate. She will not be able to read her emails and we are trying to clean out her account. We regret that this time is upon us, but rather than emails, please just keep her in your prayers and hope that we can minimize her suffering and discomfort. Thanks…"

Please leave a message here, or write to Helen at the nursing home.

Helen Has Been Moved to a Nursing Home

Helen is very weak and lately has been in and out of consciousness. She is currently in a nursing home. She is not up to having visitors, but flowers or plants would be enjoyed and appreciated. Also, Jim will gladly read cards and letters to her so please feel free to write.

Her address is:
Wright Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Room 6
829 Fairfield-Yellow Springs Road
Fairborn, Ohio 45324

Or to leave a message on this blog, click on the word "comments" below. Thank you so much!