Helen Monica Clow

Helen was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on July 29, 1917, to Clarence and Zita (Groat) Henry. She was the eldest of four children and the last survivor of her siblings. In her youth, she traveled extensively with her parents as her father’s employment took them from the Midwest to the West Coast before they eventually settled in Pocatello, Idaho, where she graduated from Pocatello High School in 1935. She was honored with a four-year scholarship to college, which due to the Great Depression, she was unable to accept. She worked for a time at a dental office, after which her parents moved back to Portland, where she met and married Kenneth Clow on December 28, 1940, at St. Andrew Catholic Church.

Helen and Kenneth raised a family of seven children in the Portland area.

In 1955 they built a new home and moved to St. Cecilia’s parish in North Portland. In 1963 they moved to SE Portland and joined St. Joseph the Worker Church, where Helen made contributions to the parish by participation in the Altar Guild and PTA activities. During this period in life, she enjoyed gardening and was a voracious reader. She will be remembered for her loving care of her children and grandchildren. In later life, she developed an interest in arts and crafts, spent time painting, and worked on stained glass. She was a speed-reader and continued reading until she turned 98 years old.

Her husband, Kenneth, preceded her in death by some 36 years. She is survived by her children: Judith Winczewski, Frank (Marie) Clow, Karen Anderson, Gordon (Laura) Clow, Lawrence (Christie) Clow, Claire Clow, and Kevin (DeeAnne) Clow as well as 14 grandchildren, 22 great- grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren. She will be remembered by all as a caring mother and recalled with deep love and affection.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church on SE 148th and Division at 11:00 am, Friday, December 11, 2015. Rev. John Amsberry will officiate at the service. Interment will be held at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.