Obituary of Helen Sexton

In loving memory of Helen Emily Sexton, who passed away unexpectedly at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz on December 17, 2010 at the age of 84. Helen was born Helen Nelson, February 9, 1926 in Colville, WA, where she grew up with five sisters. Majoring in Home Economics at Washington State University Pullman, Helen excelled at home arts and organization. These skills were reflected in her personal and professional life. Helen married and had three daughters. Always industrious, she had a career, reared her girls, sewed many of their clothes, and cared for a large home and yard. With all that, she still managed time for a social life including camping, hiking, and fishing with her girls and spending time with her large extended family. Helen's career spanned over 40 years as an administrative professional, retiring from Lockheed Martin after 24 years. Earlier in her career she worked with the U.S. Army, Army Corps of Engineers, and Kaiser Aluminum. Helen was very efficient and enjoyed her work. Helen moved to California in 1963 and was a long time resident of the Santa Clara Valley. In 2001 she moved to Capitola. There she co-founded the Mad Hatter's, joined the Book Marks book club among many other activities. Helen was a very intelligent woman with many talents and abilities and was always willing to share her knowledge with others. Some of her passions included painting, pine needle basketry, knitting, gardening, sewing, ballroom dancing and writing. She also loved to travel, owned RV's, belonged to two RV clubs including the Roving Rockets, kept in close contact with family and friends, surprising many with her computer and email skills. Helen was an avid gamer, especially cards, dominoes, and online games and had extraordinary luck in gambling and Bingo. In her 80's her two big adventures were a road trip from Spokane, WA to Anchorage, AK and a trip to Scotland to attend her granddaughter's wedding. Helen is survived by her three daughters Connie Sexton of Santa Cruz, Diane Beaty of Soquel, and Melody Sexton of Spokane, five grandchildren - Patrick Beaty, Michele Beaty-MacRaild, Renee Duncan, Philip Berumen, and Kyle Henson, and eleven great-grandchildren. Helen is also survived by her sisters, Irene Ducette and Jessie Mangold, and preceded in death by her sisters, Genevieve Lind, Marjorie Heine, and Evelyn Severin. Her family and friends will forever cherish Helen's zest for life, extraordinary energy, feisty character, sense of humor, independence, and perseverance. She was a loving, supportive, and caring mother, grandmother known as "Grano", and friend. She will be dearly missed by those who loved her. A Celebration of Life will be held for Helen on Saturday, January 29th, 1:30-4:30 pm at Mid-County Senior Center, 829 Bay Ave., Capitola, CA 95010. Remembrances may be made in Helen's name to the Santa Cruz SPCA (a no-kill rescue organization) 2685 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95065