Margaret Helms

Margaret was born November 3, 1924 in Santa Monica, CA. She was the only child of Margaret Gaithwaite Mellen and Thomas John Mellen who had emigrated from England in their twenties. Margaret went to Venice High School where she met her future husband, Carl Helms Jr.

After the war, Carl and Margaret married and started their life together. They lived in several locations in California and Utah following Carl’s work as a geologist for Standard Oil and later, Chevron. While living in Bakersfield, Margaret was a perpetual Cub Scout den mother, serving as den mother for each of her three sons. One task that she supervised was the making of tents for the boys which used her prolific sewing skills.

From Bakersfield, the family moved to the Bay Area for two years and then moved overseas where they lived for four years in the Middle East island country of Bahrain. There, she mastered the sport of bowling and taught macramé to her fellow expatriates’. After Bahrain, Margaret and family moved back to the Bay Area for two years then on to London, England. While in England, Margaret officially “retired” four years before her husband so that she could devote her time to travel and visiting the many historical sites in the country with the American Women’s Club.

After Carl retired, they moved to Ventura, CA in 1985. Margaret was an avid and prolific quilter. She put great love into the quilts she created for her three sons and eight grandchildren. She was a member of the Morning Glory quilting group of the Camarillo Quilters. Margaret also was a regular bridge and mahjong player. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Ventura and served on the Altar Guild.

Margaret was preceded in death by two of her children, Nancy Lee one month old and Steven Michael who passed just short of his fifth year. Margaret is survived by her husband of 66 years, Carl; three sons, Bill, Tim, and John; daughters in-law, Kris, Kathy and Eloice; grandchildren, Kevin, Katy, Karen, Kory, Meghan, Brooke, Natalie and Anna; and great grandchildren Ellie, Haley, and Jack. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to all of Margaret’s friends throughout the world that helped to make her life rich and happy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, New York 10305, or a charity of your choice in Margaret’s name.

A memorial service and reception for the family and friends celebrating Margaret’s life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 3290 Loma Vista Road in Ventura on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at 11:00 A.M.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home and Crematory, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.