Helen Ann Bowdish

Helen Ann Bowdish was born October 30th, 1927 in Redding, CA. A fourth generation Shasta County resident, she descended from Shasta County pioneer Martha Ellen Gregory, a resident of Antlers (Lakehead). Helen grew up in Lakehead, attended Shasta High School (class of '45), and, inspired by a family friend who was a nurse, volunteered at Mercy Hospital as a nurse's aide when "old" Mercy was located on Pine St. Upon graduation, Helen enrolled in Mercy Hospital's school of nursing in Sacramento. Upon her return to Redding, Mercy Hospital had moved "up on the hill," and she started her career here as an operating room nurse. After some time, she was promoted to OR supervisor, a position she held for over 25 years. Helen was known for running an efficient OR, for teaching and mentoring new nurses, for keeping up on new innovations, and sometimes dealing with certain demanding doctors who ran afoul of her. She always maintained her integrity, however, and that of her department. She was highly thought of by both her staff and the doctors with whom she worked. Just prior to her retirement, she was instrumental in planning Mercy's first outpatient surgery center. She was proud of her career and the many friendships she made there over the years.Outside of her work, Helen loved fishing the Sacramento River or "any stream with brook trout," golfing as a member of the Churn Creek Women's Golf Association, gardening , traveling and was also a member of the Shasta Historical Society. She was proud of being recognized a "Tennessee Squire," owning a square foot plot of land at the Jack Daniel's Distillery.Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur Bowdish, Carolyn "Polly" Bowdish Gray; brother Eugene Bowdish, and sister Clara Martin.She is survived by her beloved nieces, Lori Vaupel (husband Jeff), Linda Morgan (husband Gary), and Jeanne Martin; great-nieces Amber Phillips, Megan Dahl (husband Matt), Emily Phillips (fiancé Mike Murray), Melissa Morgan, and Holliss Vaupel; as well as great-great nieces Madison and Maeleigh Dahl.Helen was very appreciative of the support of her friends, particularly those who worked in nursing, who offered assistance to her in her later years. Her family also wishes to thank Oakdale Heights Assisted Living which provided excellent care during her final months.Graveside services for Helen will be held at Redding Cemetery on Friday, January 29th at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Shasta Historical Society, 1449 Market St., Redding, CA 96001