Helen Curtis

Born in Denver, Colorado, in 1945, Helen had an affinity for animals and loved living the country life, beginning early as a child while spending many hours on her grandparents’ farm. As part of a family of educators, she pursued a teaching career, obtained a Master’s Degree in Special Education at the University of Oklahoma, and spent decades working with elementary-age special needs students in Colorado Springs.

She and her husband had many adventures and lived in many places during their life together, including Texas, Oklahoma, Iran, New Jersey, Arizona, and California, before returning to live in Colorado where her heart lay. She and her husband lived in the rural Black Forest community in Colorado for 33 years, enjoying a beautiful view of Pikes Peak outside their front windows. Horses, dogs, cats, and children roamed in and around their home.

The couple would retire to New Bern, NC, for warm weather and good sailing. As always, Helen made friends easily and had made a new home in North Carolina when illness began to take over her life in late 2015.

Helen is survived by her husband Harrison (Bud) Curtis, her sons Sean Curtis and David Curtis, both of Colorado Springs, CO, her daughter Lara Curtis Hayes and grandson Casey, of Arlington, MA, her sister Alice McKernon of Baltimore, MD, and her brother John McKernon of Phillipsburg, NJ. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements under the direction of Cotten Funeral Home, New Bern, NC.