MSGT (RET) Helen Christine Godvin

Helen was born on February 1, 1957 in Newark, New Jersey and was the youngest daughter of John and Helen (Weale) Godvin. She grew up in Tampa, Florida where she graduated from Tampa Catholic High School in 1975. After High School, she went to work in a pathology lab before enlisting in the United States Air Force on Dec. 16, 1980.

Helen started her Air Force career working on B-52’s as an Electronics Repairman. She later spent six months as a recruiter and was finally promoted to work as a Health Professional Recruiter where she specialized in recruiting officers already licensed in their chosen medical professions. She was fortunate to spend 12 years of her career working from the Federal Building in Portland which allowed her to earn both her Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Family Counseling from Portland State University. She retired from the service on December 31, 2000 at the rank of Master Sergeant.

After retirement, Helen continued to work as a Health Professional Recruiter in the private sector. She resided in Gresham for many years and moved to Tualatin after retiring for the second time.

She had many hobbies and interests. She enjoyed watching old movies, reading and playing video poker. She also enjoyed milk duds, black licorice, eating out and McDonalds unsweetened ice tea; fresh with no lemon. Family was very important to Helen. She was caring, loving and devoted to those she cared about. She was the one everyone turned to for advice and the family problem solver. She was loved by so many and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Helen is survived by her daughter Morgan Godvin of Gresham, Or and her adopted daughter, Chelsea Strong of Gresham Or., Renae Strong of Portland, Or, her friend and former life partner of 20 years, sister, Barbara Godvin Riney of Vancouver and her brothers, Paul Godvin of Tampa, Florida and Paul Fisher of Coral Gables, Florida, her nephew, David V. Riney of Vancouver, Wa, nieces Christine Riney Klatt of Renton, Wa., Deborah A. Riney of Vancouver, Wa., her great-nephew, Carson A. Klatt and great-neice, Kali Riney May. She is also survived by nephew Rylan Shuman Murrell and niece, Halle Shuman Murrell. Her dog Scout was her beloved companion. She was preceded in death by her sister Mary Anne Godvin and her parents.

A Celebration of Helen’s life will be on Tuesday, January 7, 2014 at 12:00 pm at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home. She will be honored with military honors at Willamette National Cemetery. Contributions may be made in memory of Helen to Operation Homefront or the Oregon Humane Society. Bateman Carroll Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

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The Airman’s Creed

I am an American Airman.

I am a Warrior.

I have answered my Nation’s call.

I am an American Airman.

My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.

I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,

A Tradition of Honor,

And a Legacy of Valor.

I am an American Airman.

Guardian of Freedom and Justice,

My Nation’s Sword and Shield,

Its Sentry and Avenger.

I defend my Country with my Life.

I am an American Airman.

Wingman, Leader, Warrior.

I will never leave an Airman behind,

I will never falter,

And I will not fail.