Helen Mae Cushman was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on 3/3/30. She had two older brothers, Carl and Roy (deceased) and a younger sister, Pat. Her father, William Evelyn Thorp, and mother, Annie Cecilia (Nancy) Johnson Thorp, were both first-generation Americans. Helen graduated from Braintree, MA High School, then went to finishing school and took courses in medical management.
She was working at Massachusetts General Hospital as a cancer research assistant when she met Winslow. They were soon married and he joined the Army, then they were off to see the world. Along with their young family, they lived in many places, including Japan, Germany, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Thailand.
After retirement from the Army, they settled their family in Phoenix where Helen set up and managed local physicians' offices. She was tough but fair and her employees loved her. She raised three Eagle Scouts but her true legacy is that all of her sons graduated from college, something no other Cushman had ever done. She even got Winslow to go back to class to finish his degree. Further, eight of her grandchildren have or will have college degrees.
Winslow passed in 2009. Helen is survived by her sons Glenn (Robyn), Craig (Janet), and Todd (Shari). She also leaves behind nine grandchildren; Scott (Jen), Jordan Webb, Alex (Amanda), Cameron, Taylor (Rachel), Grant, Kara, Connor and Eric, as well as one beloved great-granddaughter, Archer.
Helen was an incredible mentor, teacher and life coach. She shaped all the men in her life and we are all the better for her love and guidance. She will be missed but Heaven will now be a lot more organized. Private services will be held. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Snowball Express (www.snowballexpress.org).
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