Born in Los Angeles California to Antoinette and Joseph F. Mandella. Helen Delores Temple was one of twelve siblings with eight brothers; Carl, Franklin, Victor, James Vincent, Joseph, twins Robert and Richard and step-brother Alfred; and three sisters Rosemary, Francis and Annetta Joyce. Helen was a bright light in the family singing for all she could. Growing up, her family lived in various cities such as Flats East L.A., Inglewood, Gardena, and Lawndale.
Although they did not grow up wealthy Helen quickly learned the importance of family. Her father, a great handyman, assembled cable cars into houses for their family to all live together. Helen loved school and was eager to learn when she attended Mr. Spicers Music School in Hollywood, where she sang alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood including Judy Garland and Elizabeth Taylor. After her schooling, Helen met the man she would fall madly in love with Samuel H. Temple. Together they had two children; Scott and Peter, and raised their family in Gardena California. Helen, a devoted wife and mother worked hard to teach her sons about respect for everyone and the morals of right and wrong.
Helen, a hard working mother, provided her children with everything they needed to prosper in life. While she worked as a seamstress for Rosemary Reed in downtown L.A., her true passion in life was singing. From Karaoke clubs to grocery stores, singing out of the blue in front of God and anybody else, Helen loved to sing. Her love for singing afforded many unique opportunities such as selling war bonds and dedicating Hawthorn Memorial park. Always there to lend a helping hand to those in need, Helen’s kind heart and soul was felt by everyone she knew. She will be remembered and loved by those who lives she touched. In Helen’s words, “remember the good times”.
