Helen Marie Harrington

Helen was the first daughter of Bob and Lorena Hartzell, born in Bakersfield, California, November 10, 1942. She went to Beardsley Primary, Elementary, and Junior High School. Helen graduated with honors from North High School (Bakersfield) in 1960. She was in the top 10 percentile of her class of 300 graduates. Her major was Bookkeeping.

After High School, she worked as a teller in the Bank of America in Oildale, CA (between Bakersfield and North Bakersfield). She took a few classes at Bakersfield Junior College, with no degree.

Helen met her future husband, Tom, at a Bible Study her Dad conducted in their home. At the end of her Junior High schooling, outside the practice room for Norris Road Church of Christ Junior Choir on June 3, 1956, Tom asked her to “go steady” with him. That progressed to their engagement from June 3, 1962 to their marriage on September 5, 1964. The marriage ceremony was officiated by Tom’s brother Art. They moved to San Jose, CA for Tom’s completion of his education in Civil Engineering at San Jose State College. Helen worked as a secretary in the loan department at Bank of America, just a couple of blocks from San Jose State. Their only son Tim was born on April 23, 1967.

Helen was very patient and tolerant of the many moves they made when Tom went to work full time for the U.S. National Park Service after graduation from college. She packed and moved 17 times in the first 9-1/2 years of their marriage, eventually settling in Lakewood, CO in October of 1973. Tim was able to complete his education through high school here, before going off to Bible College.

Helen’s work history is varied, Bank of America (Bakersfield and San Jose) – teller and secretary, National Park Service, Yosemite National Park, CA – Secretary. Retail sales – Avon, Cloth World, Tastee Freeze. Secretary – Temp Agency, SAIC (Executive Secretary), Australian Mining Company (US office), Motel Construction Company field office, Administrative Assistant for Green Mountain Christian Church (about 10 years).

Helen was an Auxiliary Member of The Gideons International for nearly 52 years (WY, SD, CO), serving in many local and State offices. Her musical talents with piano, organ, keyboard, and choral groups were appreciated by several churches where she served. She also played piano for a monthly Sunday church service at a senior facility for about 16 years. Helen taught Bible School classes and led a home Bible Study, as well as doing office duties for annual Vacation Bible School sessions.

With her association with the Independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, she was a member of several congregations: Norris Road Church of Christ, Bakersfield, CA, Green Valley Christian Church, San Jose, CA, Christian Church, San Bruno, CA, Chapel of The Tetons, Jackson, WY, First Christian Church, Rapid City, SD, Green Mountain Christian Church, Lakewood, CO (47 years)

Helen loved to sew (including her own wedding dress), knit, and do crochet work. She enjoyed two cruises (Alaska and Baltic Seas, including a trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg). Those who knew her would say she was kind, helpful, giving, ready to volunteer, and a faithful companion. People could always count on her to give her best effort.

She will be greatly missed by surviving relatives, which include her husband Tom (Lakewood), son Tim, his wife Melanie, and granddaughters Alissa and Kaitlyn (Colorado Springs, CO), sister Dian and husband David Ruder (Sunnyvale, CA), one niece, and 5 nephews.