Helen Mae Henley

Helen Mae (Diedrich) Henley, 97, passed away peacefully December 14, 2019, in the presence of her loved ones. She was born November 7, 1922, to Sam and Ida Diedrich, who were homestead farmers near Byers, Colorado. Helen had four sisters—Delene, Doris (who died as an infant), Fay, and Bernice, and two brothers—Thor and Eugene.

She is survived by her son, Michael Henley; his wife, Lori; grandson, Daniel; and granddaughter Rachel. Other family members who survive Helen are nieces Elaine Jamison (Carl), Debbie Grieve (Dan), Cherrie Fairbanks, Jane Henley-Stone (Vic), Martha Thompson (Joe), Deanna Kerr, Mary Henley-Ortiz (Dave), and Cindy Williams (Ken). Nephews who survive her include David Diedrich (Jeanne), Timothy Henley (Frieda), Steven Kerr (Sheree), and David Henley (Carol). She also leaves behind many friends that she knew over the years.

Helen graduated from the nursing school at Presbyterian Hospital in Denver and worked as a registered nurse, first at General Rose Hospital, and then at Mercy Medical Center. After the birth of her son Michael, she worked the night shift at Mercy Medical Center on weekends. She retired from nursing in 1987.

Helen married Norman Thomas (Tom) Henley on August 16, 1953. They had met through a young adults group at Central Presbyterian Church. Their son, Michael, was born in February 1955. For much of their married life, they resided in the Ruby Hill area of Denver.

Helen loved her family and took an active interest in son Michael’s family. She enjoyed attending their school and sporting events. At home, she enjoyed cooking, canning, and gardening and growing house plants. Cats held a special place in her heart, and for many years, she supported a small colony of feral cats, who knew they could count on a bowl of food and water if they passed her way. At one point, she even domesticated a black-and-white feral kitten that she named “Mickey”. She also had two pet turtles—Strawberry and Josie, and three Boston terriers—Dodo, Jeff, and Babe. She also helped care for her son’s pet Magpie—Knute.

For years, Helen was known as the “Card Lady” at Denver Friends Church. She would send birthday, anniversary, and other seasonal cards to missionaries for the Friends Women group, and she also sent birthday and Christmas cards to church friends and acquaintances. She also actively participated in a book reading program and even in her 90s would go into the church library to get new books to read.

When her husband’s health declined because of Alzheimer’s, she cared for him until the final weeks of his life. When her own health declined, Helen went to live with her son’s family and stayed in their home for nearly 5 years. During this time, she remained active and would help fold laundry and do other tasks, such as cutting out laminated pictures Rachel used in her classroom. In 2015, she began to attend Clermont Park’s Adult Day program. She was skeptical at first, but fell in love with The Club and loved seeing her friends 2 to 3 times a week.

Helen loved people and enjoyed being with and around them— whether at home, church, The Club and other places. She remembered all who found a place in her heart, whether from her formative years in Byers, nursing school, hospital work, neighbors, church friends, and family. While she has gone to heaven, Helen will be remembered as a caring, loving woman, who had a Heart of Gold.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Quaker Ridge Camp in honor of Helen's life. She always enjoyed attending the annual Friends Women weekends conducted there. Please put her name in the memo line. (Make checks payable to Quaker Ridge Camp. You may give the checks to Denver Friends Church, or you can mail them to Quaker Ridge Camp, 30150 N. Highway 67, Woodland Park, CO 80863.)