Helen Catherine Gridley

Would later welcome as siblings, Patricia, Tom, Nancy, John and Carolyn.

In a move to Aurora, Colorado, would spend childhood moments working and living with her parents, sisters and brothers amidst the house her father built.

Would ride her horse Honey down the dusty roads of Wadsworth, before the cars of today ride over their faded tracks, and they would together show their spirit in the parades and arenas of the Westernaires.

With shared hands, hearts and rings united, She would cut with knife, a wedding cake on September 04, 1959, with a true friend and found soulmate Lewis E. Gridley, Jr., and still show strong in her Olds 88.

A family begun, and even with a heart lost, would welcome her children Lewis, Rosellen and Lance, in followed years, some gentle, some hard, but all filled with love and hope.

With the grace of flowers, Started her gardens and cylinder borders in a small gray house in Lakewood, Colorado. Touched every morning rose with four legged companions, some with Pride, some Casper and Spooky, but always the Victor.

Roads later and Days of Journeys, leaving Lakewood, to where a Job leads, Kansas, Lakewood, and into the Gunnison Valley to continue to capture, guide and touch the lives that she met.

To drive a Van in the bitter cold, as chauffeur to deliver papers and meet the schedule of 4H demands and school bells.

From a love of numbers and symmetry, she studied Accounting at Western State, and held positions of trust in local Church and group’s, Continued gardens of Flowers and Trees and River Rock, with small moments for skiing snowy trails, and walking mountain railroads. Always, with friends and family, sure of Chi-Chi, and continued great Charity in between.

To gather again, and move to Lakewood, high on Green Mountain, in a house that was a home but not that which was first her choice, but loved even as though. Building terraces of gardens and trees of fruit, more feathered friends gather at the Gazebo Step, keeping new friends close to heart, Amber and Bella, the Three Kitties make that final trek.

Sunday morning waffles, quiet breakfast talks, Montana calls, some nights of games in Scrabble, nuts and candy on the side, holidays of family and laughter, homemade feasts, gifts and colorful lights, every smile and touch she’d make each a remembered moment.

Jobs and Buses, downtown trails and over the hill, working everyday in the 9-5 but always the Mom in all of the hours that chime. New beginnings and renewed life, Welcoming her Grandest flowers of all, ever cherished and so much joy, Lily and Coral.

Finally to say goodbye to that loving home and the most beloved part of her heart and soul to build one more garden, gazebo and trees, watch and feed her feathered friends, in Hudson Colorado.

Morning Coffee, at table round, quiet conversations of roads passed and trails short, moments with sisters, shared cookies with Eli; she spent these days remembering the past, but looking forward to the next blooming Rose, or hungry Rabbit to feed, sorting seeds for a wistful bird. And in later days, across trellised vine, in its own love and whispering hope, she’d have the Chance to hold sweet baby James.

She found Light in every Soul, but carried the burdens and worries of that she didn’t need to hold. Leaving her gardens, and those who love her dear, on the first full day of Spring March 20, 2024. To be met with the missing grace of loving arms, honey hooves and padded paws of every gentle spirited friend.

All who have so patiently been waiting for her to come home.

In remembrance, the family suggests donations be made to the following (or any) charity of their choice:

muttswithamission.org

alleycat.org

wildanimalsanctuary.org

foodbankrockies.org