Helen Christina Packard

Helen Packard, 83, passed away Saturday, January 26, 2013 in Portland. Helen was born in Albany March 8, 1929 to Dan B. and Ethel Roth.

Helen attended Albany schools. She was active in Girl Scouts, and worthy advisor of the local Rainbow Girls chapter. Her senior year she was queen of Albany High School’s annual Mardi Gras celebration and served on the 1947 Albany Timber Carnival Court.

She attended Oregon State College (now University), where she joined Delta Gamma sorority. After attaining her Junior Certificate, the equivalent of an associate degree, she married Bernard Tiland August 14, 1949 in Albany. They settled in Portland, divorcing in 1962. On July 1, 1965 she married Richard “Dick” Packard. They were married 35 years until Dick passed away in February 2000.

Helen worked 10 years for Edwards Industries in Portland. When Dick had an opportunity to open a John Deere industrial dealership in Mt. Vernon, Washington, they moved there, becoming active in the local Elks, Kiwanis Club and a yacht club. In 2005, Helen received her 50-year member pin from the Barzillai chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in Albany. She moved back to Portland in 2008 to be closer to her family.

She was a beautiful woman with striking blue eyes, and a wonderful mother and grandmother. She will be missed.

Survivors include her sons Ronald Tiland of Salem, and Patrick Tiland of Tigard; daughter Janice Mitchell of Tigard; step-sons Richard (Elaine) Packard of Orlando, Florida, Dave (Cheryl) Packard of Lake Oswego, and Mark Packard of Portland; and step-daughter Peggy (Dan) Lee of Golden, Colorado; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Ada (Burr) Fancher of Albany, and many loving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law Larry (Jo) Roth of Albany and sister Dorothy Elshire of Lake Oswego.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 16 at 1 p.m. at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 6835 SW 46th Avenue, Portland. Private inurnment will be at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Arrangements are by Young's Funeral Home in Tigard.

Remembrances can be made in her memory to the Albany Historic Carousel & Museum, 503 1st Avenue West, Albany, Oregon 97321.