Helen McDonald

Helen had a full life as a devoted mother, teacher and glamorous stewardess. She is survived by her twins, Helen and Joe and daughter in law, Pam; three grandchildren, Crystal, P.J., and Jodie; sisters, Fran and DeDe and sister-in-law Sylvia. Helen was predeceased by her husband Joe and siblings Frankie and Madeline.

Helen treasured her time as a stewardess for Pan American Airways during the golden age of air travel. It offered her the opportunity to travel the world. She loved sharing her travel stories with her students. She taught computer literacy for 40 years at Pershing Middle School where she had over 16,800 students. She enjoyed seeing former students all over Houston. Her inclusion in Who's Who Among America's Teachers was a source of pride. Helen’s teaching continued after her retirement from HISD with the computer literacy program at St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church. Helen's sweet, vivacious and wonderful personality touched thousands of lives. She lived a remarkable life and always looked beautiful. She will be deeply missed.

Contributions may be sent to the Helen McDonald scholarship fund at Bauer College of Business/UH created by her family to honor her life’s work.

Visitation will be on Friday from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home with a rosary at 7 p.m.

You can shed tears that she is gone

Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back

Or you can open your eyes and see all she's left

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her

Or you can be full of the love you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember her and only that she's gone

Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn you back

Or you can do what she'd want: smile, open your eyes. love,

help others and go on.