Helen Fender Arend

Helen Fender Arend Helen Fender Arend died peacefully on Friday, August 26th. She was born Helen Mae Fender on January 12, 1920 in Harlingen, Texas to Ernest Leonard Fender and Helen Tubb Fender. Helen Mae was the sixth in a family of ten children, comprised of five boys and five girls. Helen spent her freshman year of college at S.M.U. in Dallas. She moved to Austin to complete her Home Economics degree at the University of Texas and became a life-long resident of Austin. On October 15, 1943, Helen married Herbert Otto Arend of Pflugerville. Helen and Herb were blessed with three children. Upon Herb’s death in 1960, Helen raised her children, developed into a business woman, and was active in a multitude of ways within the Austin community – through church, school and other organizations. Helen and Herb helped start Saint Andrew’s Episcopal school and Helen was an active member of All Saints’ Episcopal Church for over fifty years. Helen’s gift of always being open and receptive to new ideas manifested itself in the 1970’s with her immersion into yoga, nutrition, holistic medicine and eastern philo- sophical studies. She was a certified yoga teacher through the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, Pennsylvania where she studied. Helen traveled worldwide for the next three decades in her quest for knowledge and spiritual growth. Helen’s life exemplified a unique blend of Christianity and eastern philosophy. Her joy of life, serenity, mindfulness and spirituality drew others to her. Helen was a mentor and role-model for several generations both within and outside of her family. Above all, Helen loved her family. She is survived by her three children, Dr. Laurence Warren Arend and wife, Peggy Brown, of New Orleans, Mr. Rodger Graham Arend of Austin and Elizabeth Arend Lerner, and husband, Kenneth David Lerner of Austin; grandchildren, Hunter Arend, Dr. Jonathan Arend, Rebecca Arend, Eric Meissner, Konrad Meissner, Erin Brown, Megan Brown, Tyler Arend, and Katherine Lerner; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Warren L. Fender of Bastrop and her sister, Dorothy Jean Stull, of Clarksburg, Maryland. Helen was predeceased by her husband, Herbert Otto Arend, and siblings, Hazel Noe, Dr. E.L. Fender, Jr., Allyne Robertson, Harris Fender, James E. Fender, Lucille Duffy and George A. Fender. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 28, 2005 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 29, 2005 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to All Saints’ Episcopal Church or to a charity of your choice. Obituary and guestbook available online at wcfish.com