Helen Vivian Hyde

At a young age, her family moved to South Gate, California, where she lived until she married Raymond Kenneth Hyde on September 29, 1951. They lived in Downey and Long Beach, California, and later in Gardnerville, Nevada. After Raymond‘s death, Helen moved to Palm Springs, California where she lived until her final move to New Bern, North Carolina, five years ago.

The Presbyterian Church played a significant role in shaping Helen‘s life. Over her lifetime, she belonged to the North Long Beach Presbyterian Church, the First Presbyterian Church of Carson City and Christ Presbyterian Church in Gardnerville, Nevada, and the Church of the Cove Presbyterian Church in Cathedral City, California. Over the years, she held the positions of church secretary and administrative assistant, and volunteered for ministries with choir, youth groups, bible studies, women and couples groups. She served several churches as a deacon, ruling elder as well as the clerk of session. With the church in Cathedral city, she was a part of the team that coordinated, collected donations, and delivered them to the people in need in Coachella Valley.

In addition to being involved with her family and friends, Helen loved to knit, crochet and embroider, and was a talented and accomplished seamstress. She took pleasure in sewing clothing for herself and her family which included lovely Easter dresses and fun Halloween costumes. She also took classes and loved working with stained glass. She also enjoyed working outdoors in her gardens and loved reading her Bible as well as fiction and non-fiction. When her children were growing up, Helen was heavily involved in the parent teacher association PTA in North Long Beach and was an avid bowler and participated in local leagues.

In her time at Truewood, in North Carolina, Helen loved playing bingo, sitting outdoors, enjoying the weather and gardens around her, watching the birds and reminiscing with her friends. With her friend Harry, she learned and enjoyed painting abstract art. She loved clothing and jewelry and putting together her outfits each morning and was admired for her fashion sense. The fashion shows were a highlight and she could be found on the runway.

Thankful for her life and continuing in her memory are her two daughters, Katherine Van Leeuwen and Laura Sanchez and her son in law, Mario Sanchez, her grandson Rob Van Leeuwen and his wife Samantha, her great grandchildren, Sean Patrick Donovan and Antonia Noelle Giordano and Antonia’s father, John Giordano, and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her beloved granddaughter, Christina Giordano, her son-in-law, Timothy VanLeeuwen, and her sisters, Elaine Straw and Doris Leftwich.

A heartfelt thank you to the staff at Truewood, and the nurses, staff and hospice care at Carolina East Memorial Hospital who cared for Helen in her final years and days.  

By request, no service is planned. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to Boys Town, or your local animal rescue or organization of your choice.

Online condolences can be made to www.cottenfuneralhome.com.