Helen Woody Holland

Helen was born on December 13, 1941 in Topeka, Kansas. She was raised in Kansas by her parents Alden Baker Woody and Sarah Mildred Woody (Anderson). She was a good sister and had fond memories of spending time with her brother, John Woody. It was in this agricultural area of Kansas that Helen developed her lifelong love of all animals.

After high school, Helen went on to college and earned a Master of Social Work Degree at Tulane University. She was always an empathetic person and it was natural that she chose a professional where she helped others through difficult times. She was skilled at her work and well respected by her coworkers.

Helen lived in many places throughout the United States from Topeka, Kansas, to New Orleans, Louisiana, Guilford, Connecticut and finally in Portland, Oregon. Wherever she lived, she was always a kind and engaging neighbor. She believed in giving back to the community and would always find a way to volunteer. While living in Connecticut, she was a longtime volunteer with the Nutmeg Theater Players and enjoyed working with them for over 30 years.

In all the accomplishments of her life, Helen was most proud to be a mother and grandmother. She adopted Douglas Holland and April Holland in 1985 and embraced becoming a single mom. She enjoyed her children and celebrating their successes and coaching them through their struggles. She passed on her love of gardening and reading, and Doug and April have such fond memories of growing up in a household where Helen shared her love and knowledge with them.

In her retirement, Helen enjoyed traveling, attending community theater productions, watching out for and feeding strays in her neighborhood and of course giving back and volunteering. Most recently, she was a regular volunteer and active participant at the Tigard Senior Center.

Helen is predeceased by her parents. Her memory will be cherished by her brother, John Woody and wife Susan; children, Douglas Holland and wife Becky Rakos, and April Holland and wife Angela Farrell; Grandchildren, Caitlyn Marie- Helen Shaver, Noella Rose Shaver & Declan John Holland.

In looking at Helen’s life, one is reminded of throwing a perfectly smooth stone in a calm and beautiful pond. That one stone’s impact in the water creates a ripple that slowly reaches out to all edges of the pond. Those ripples of Helen’s impact are genuinely felt by everyone who knew her. You could not know Helen or love her without feeling her integrity, her grace and her kindness. The family encourages everyone to hold dear to Helen’s memory and use that impact of her presence in their life to do good in the world.

Helen’s Daughter April has these thoughts to share.

“I am thankful for all the years we had together, for everything we shared and every chance we had to grow. I will take the best of you with me and lead by your example wherever I go. This isn’t what I want, but you taught me to take the high road, there are things we don’t want to happen, but have to accept. Things we don’t want to know, but have to learn and people we can’t live without but we have to let go of”

The family invites you to join in a celebration of Helen’s life on Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025 at 12pm at the Tigard Senior Center 8815 SW Omara St.

Arrangements Entrusted to Young’s Funeral Home.