Helen Carlson Hartzog

engaged in its community and church. With the encouragement of her parents, brothers and

sisters, she too, enthusiastically embraced community and church activities. She fell in love

with music at an early age becoming an accomplished pianist and musician. While studying

music and taking extension courses in business at Boston and Harvard Universities she sang on

Uncle Buddy's Radio program, station WEEl, a popular program in Boston at the time.

In 1947 she married George B. Hartzog, Jr. a young lawyer from Colleton County S. C. Together

they forged a committed and powerful partnership sharing 61 years of marriage. They raised

three children - George, Ill, a United Methodist Minister, Bloomington, IN; Nancy Helen, a

United Methodist Minister, Ormond Beach, FL; and Edward Algot, an attorney and

environmental advocate, New York, NY. They raised their children in National Parks in

Colorado, Tennessee, and Missouri before moving to Washington, D. C. when Mr. Hartzog was

appointed Director of the National Park Service.

Family was always first. Never running out of energy or time for her children she remained

interested and involved always asking how can I help? Do you have enough money for some ice

cream? She loved being outdoors in the Parks hiking or entertaining Friends and Park Service

family. She was known for having homemade oatmeal cookies and lemonade ready for friends

who dropped in for a visit. Helen continued to find ways, after her husband passed in 2008, to

contribute to favorite projects and causes she and George supported together.

A person of great faith, she lived every day knowing that God was present and guiding her life

As a testament to her faith she made it a daily practice to thank everyone who cared for her.

To all of her" girls", those who cared for her every day and every night she would say "Thank

You Very Very Much" and as a postscript would add "let's hang out later, together".

Helen is survived by her three children, four grandchildren, Barbara Ellen of Santa Fe, NM,

Rebekah Anne of Eugene, OR., Dietrich Benjamin of St. Louis, MO., Alex Nalika New York City;

and three great grandchildren. A family graveside service will be held at the Live Oak

Cemetery, Walterboro, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen's memory may be made to National Parks Foundation, https://give.nationalparks.org/site/Donation2?df_id=3144&mfc_pref=T&3144.donation=form1; and Clemson Hartzog Lecture Series, https://www.clemson.edu/centers-institutes/parks/index.html.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.craigflaglerpalms.com for the Hartzog family.