Helena Stewart Hearn

Born on November 15, 1922, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada to George A. Grant and Mary Marshall, Mrs. Hearn grew up and was educated in Kingston. She met and married Clifford Charles Wilson Bracken in Kingston in 1946 while Cliff was attending Queens University. They moved to Hamilton, then Toronto, Orillia and London, Ontario while Clifford obtained his medical degree in Psychiatry. She and Dr. Bracken resided in San Antonio from 1955 to 1958. They moved to Philadelphia and later returned to Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Bracken passed away in 1977.

Following his death, Helena moved from Ottawa to San Antonio in 1980 when she married Dr. R. Howard Hearn. They enjoyed a wonderful twenty years together, marked by a harmoniously blended family, many good friends and interesting travel. While living in San Antonio, Helena was an active participant in Senior Olympics, winning numerous medals and maintaining an admirable physical fitness regimen. An avid and informed collector of antiques, she created a beautiful home for herself and Dr. Hearn. She was an excellent bridge player and enjoyed playing socially into her 90’s.

Mrs. Hearn was predeceased by her husband, Howard, her son, Robert A. Bracken and her stepson, Richard Howard Hearn, Jr. (Ricky) She is survived by her daughters, Lynn Britton (Craig Swift), Janice Latanishan; son, Clifford Grant Bracken (Bonnie), and her stepdaughters, Holly Hearn Lutz (Charles); Hillary Hearn Canales (Luis); and Heather Hearn Goodgion. She is also survived by Ricky’s wife, Sharon Hearn, nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

The third and seventh verses of Amazing Grace were particularly meaningful to Helena. “When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun. ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come: ‘tis grace hath brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home.”

A memorial service and commitment of her ashes beside her beloved, Howard, will be held at Ft. Sam Houston at a later date. Arrangements are with Porter Loring.

In this time of compelling need in the community Helena adopted and loved, the family respectfully requests that any charitable contributions in her memory be made to the San Antonio Food Bank.