Helen Lopez

Helen (Gastelum) Lopez was born April 9, 1926. She was the seventh child born and two (2) more would follow. The family of nine (9) consisted of six (6) girls and three (3) boys plus mom (Jessie) and dad (Waldo). It was a full house. Growing up in the Compton area, they led a simple but happy life.

Helen graduated from Compton JC in 1944. At the time, Compton JC was a four (4) year school with grades 11 through the second year of College (in today’s terms). However, she finished her twelfth year, and got her HS diploma and was through with school. After HS, she worked various odd jobs and was introduced to John Lopez during this time. They began dating in 1944 but John was called up to serve in WWII not long after. They corresponded while he served in Europe but I don’t think she fully realized this was to be her future husband. I say that because she threw out his letters not thinking she might want to keep them for posterity. This was a move she later regretted. But, who knew!

When John returned from service, they rekindled their relationship and on August 16, 1947 they were married. About a year and a half later, on February 7, 1949, she gave birth to their first child, John Jr. And about fifteen (15) months later, a second child was born. This time a girl, Cynthia (Dolly). The perfect family was complete. A boy and a girl. What more could you ask for? But they were in for a surprise as almost four (4) years after Dolly was born, their third child, Dennis, was born February 4, 1954. This time their family actually was complete!

With the family now complete, John and Helen bought a house in Torrance and moved there in 1958. This was a great move for Helen in particular. It was a young neighborhood and the ladies there got Helen involved in two (2) activities that she would be passionate about for the rest of her life… bowling and cards. She loved, and was skillful, at both. It was a vibrant neighborhood and Helen got involved in some community activities such as PTA, working the voting booth (making sure we voted), and an assistant on the playground at Yukon Elementary.

Family life was in full swing now. It was a busy time but the family was still able to get away on vacations. And on one of these vacations, this time in Yosemite, Helen showed off her athleticism when she was surprised by a bear. And, contrary to what the rangers tell you, she turned and sprinted in the other direction…outrunning one of the neighbor’s daughters who was not far behind her! But vacationing changed when they bought a ski boat. Now vacations were all about water skiing and at which lake. In the mid 1960’s, they started going to Clear Lake in Northern California. This became an annual event and was joined by a number of family and friends each year. These were great times indeed.

When the kids had all moved out, she still kept busy. She painted and did crafts. And since they were no longer boating, they bought a motor home and traveled extensively. They traveled with other friends with motor homes up and down the state and also made trips out east. They’d be gone a month or more at a time. But the epic trip came in the early 80’s when they headed north with two (2) other couples to Alaska. They were gone about three (3) and half months. A trip of a life time! They came back with plenty of pictures and even more great stories!

John Jr. married JoAnn Jones in 1986. They had two (2) boys, Alan and Kyle. Both boys are married with their own children now. Alan married Kristen and they have a 6-month-old named Winter. Kyle married Annie and they have two (2) children, Kolbe (two years) and Leighton (three months).

Dolly married Bob Kimzey 1970 and they have one (1) child, Eric. Eric married Alicia and they have one (1) daughter, Annabella.

As for Dennis, he and Doreen have been together for nearly 30 years but have no children. However, they’re thinking about it!

All told Helen has three (3) kids, three (3) grandsons, and four (4) great grand kids. She will be missed enormously by all.