Helen June Hunt

Helen June Hunt of Huntington Beach, California passed away on August 26, 2010. A visitation will take place on Friday September 3, 2010 prior to the service from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm at Westminster Memorial Park. Services will be held following the visitation on Friday August 3, 2010 at 2:30 pm in the Westminster Memorial Park Main Chapel with a graveside service to follow. Arrangements under the direction of Westminster Memorial Park, 14801 Beach Blvd. Westminster, CA 92683. (714) 893-2421.

A word to the wise…

Children, ask your questions now, while you have your parents around to answer.

Attempting to write a biography of our mom, I kept wanting –needing - to go ask her questions about her life, and now it is too late. She is probably up there in Heaven looking down at me as I struggle with this and saying, “No, that’s not how it was…”. Sorry, Mom, if some of this turns out to be historical fiction, with the author taking the liberty of filling in the missing pieces. I’ll do my best. All my love, Janice

Prologue

Please forgive the incorrect usage of nouns and pronouns throughout this piece. This biography started out with the use of the noun, Helen, which sounded odd when writing about our Mom. Then, it progressed into Mom, and they and them and then became us, we, and them. It ended with her, but now it is back to just us, and no her. I dwelled on this inconsistent use of nouns and pronouns. That’s the teacher in me. But, in the end, I just gave up and told it like is was. Who cares if it written grammatically correct. The important thing is it is written. But, those pronouns, they can map a life in just a few words.

In the Beginning…

Helen June Anderson (the future Mrs. Don Hunt and our wonderful Mother) was born in Lynwood, California, on April 5, 1922. She was the middle child, between Frank and Ruthie. Her parents were Lottie, of German decent and Nels Anderson, a Swede. After her parents divorced, she and Aunt Ruthie were raised by Aunt Edith and Uncle George Scheller and Uncle Frank was raised by Aunt Florence, I believe. She often talked about her dad, who was a motorcycle cop in Lynwood. She loved her grandma Anderson a lot and spoke frequently and fondly of her, as well. Her grandpa Anderson was the mayor of Lynwood at one time.

Helen graduated from Compton High School and I think she met Don Hunt, her future husband and our dad, at church. I recall her talking about dating a beau named Bill. In fact, I think she was riding in a car that went off a cliff at Big Bear, and Bill was driving. Apparently, a tree stopped the car from tumbling further down the mountain. Don was in a car behind them, or something. That seemed to be a changing point in their relationship. Funny, how I heard that story many times, but am now having problems piecing it together in clear detail. I know that she was extremely nervous, as a result of this incident, whenever we drove on windy mountain roads, and that is when she would retell this story.

Marriage and Family…

Helen married Don on June 28, 1941. They must have had their first son, Don Jr., the following year, and then Don was off to the war in the US Army as a cameraman. I know Mom lived in San Antonio, Texas, during part of the war, and Ruthie lived with her. . She often spoke of how she worked in an airplane factory on an assembly line to help with the war efforts. She had to raise Donny without Pop around for a few years. They wrote one another hundreds of love letters, which we still have stored in a box. Putting them in order by date, one could retell the progress of the war and feel the devotion and love they held for one another.

Apparently, Pop had started a rubber stamp business prior to the war, which his dad kept going until he returned home. He took over again, and Helen helped him at nights at “the shop” as it was referred to. Ron was born to them in 1946, and Janice came along in 1952 to complete their family. We all spent a lot of time running around the print shop, helping where we could, sleeping in big flat paper boxes while Mom and Pop kept the business going.

Colorful Memories

This was a colorful time in their lives, literally.

During this time, they lived in a bright pink house, which they had purchased at 3532 Mulford Ave. in Lynwood. They also drove a purple Lincoln, which had electric windows. We kids discovered the fun of those electric windows the first day we got the car, running the battery down rolling the windows up and down, up and down. Meanwhile, Pop worked at the shop and Mom kept the family going. She drove us kids all over, cooked us great meals, kept the house spotless. We took many family vacations with the family trailer (purple and white to match the Lincoln). That house, and those years in Lynwood, produced many happy memories. We had the park down the street, which we could frequent without supervision in those days. We spent many hours watching Ron play ball at that park, too. We enjoyed lots of family time with our cousins and aunts and uncles. Bobbie lived down the street and spent lots of happy times with our family as we all grew up. We played in our big backyard, which had a neat treehouse in the apricot tree, along with a swing. We had a fun time digging a hole in the ground for our swimming pool. The Middlemans lived next door, and became our third set of “grandparents”. The “boys” spent a lot of time asking Mr. Middleman questions, while Mom and I spent many happy moments with Mrs. Middleman (who we fondly just called Middleman). Mom and Pop started traveling a little for the business, and they also became very involved in Rotary. Mom was a Rotarian, supporting Pop. It was during this time that they built the first boat, the “Do Ro Ja”, in the backyard. It was an exciting day when we kids all got to stay home from school to see the boat rolled out of the yard.

A Home on the Water…

Eventually, in about 1965, our family relocated to Huntington Beach, with Mom and Pop buying the house in the harbor. That first summer, I remember Mom and I preparing lots of food for visitors. Everyone wanted to come see their new home on the water. Mom was ready to move back to Lynwood for a rest, I recall. Donny was, by then, learning the business and working with Pop and Ron was going to Cal Poly and playing more baseball. I, luckily, got to spend lots of time boating and going to the beach nearby.

The Great Entertainer…

Mom again, kept the home fires burning. It was our house that all the friends would come to after school, because our pantry always was well stocked with good things to eat. I recall being one of the few high school kids whose mom actually fixed breakfast in the mornings. Mom was always happy if she could feed you. You would be plagued with guilt if you didn’t have second helpings. “Don’t you like it?” she would inquire.

Each Christmas, for 35 years, we would spend days preparing food for the annual boat parade party. Eighty to one hundred “boat parade regulars” would attend the party at our house each season. Mom loved to entertain, and she did it well, and she did it often.

Mom was also an active participant in the house decorating we did for years. This began each November, right after Thanksgiving dinner. Pop would start building the decorations for the front of the house. Three stories tall. Fifty feet wide. Animated, of course. Mom would be out in the garage right along with any other helping and willing hands, screwing colored Christmas lights into hand drilled holes. And, of course, feeding us snacks.

The Lady Helen…

Sometime during the sixties, Mom and Pop decided to build a new 46 foot trawler, a Kenny Hill custom boat. Mom worked right alongside Pop, sanding and painting.

The boat was completed and launched, and lovingly christened “The Lady Helen”.

Launched also, were many more new and happy memories aboard the vessel they worked hard to maintain. Trips to Catalina, fishing, out watching the fireworks off shore in Long Beach, a trip to San Diego. Lots of fun family times with Pop at the wheel and Mom right beside him.

Her Family Expands…

Meanwhile, Mom and Pop’s family of five was growing. Donny and Linda got married. Ron and Judy got married. The grandchildren began arriving…Kelli, Shane, Ryan, Jami, Sommer, Heath. In 1976, Bob and I got married at the house in the harbor, with Mom doing much (all?) of the work for the wedding. Again, there she was involved in preparing food for the masses. ( Having just helped Kristin with her wedding, I now realize how much work my mom did for us to be married at home. It took 35 years to realize!) Anyway…back to the grandchildren. Kristin was born in 1988, completing the total of 7 grandchildren for Mom and Pop.

By this time, Pop was home more and he and Mom finally had time to relax together, enjoying their home on the water. They would have their 10:00 coffee break out on the deck every day. Mom always loved her coffee, and her “coffee cake.

Time for Travel…

During these same years, Mom and Pop traveled frequently for the business. Europe, Japan, you name it. Mom was always trying to figure out what clothes to pack next. They also bought three different motorhomes over the years. First, a small one, then came two 28 footers. Mom and Pop enjoyed many miles making happy memories in their motorhomes. Mom really loved that more relaxed type of travel. She loved her homes on wheels.

Helen, the Caregiver…

It was also about this time, 1988, that Pop was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. For awhile, he held the disease at bay, but eventually, he needed help. Mom was there for him always. She didn’t complain, but the strain at times was apparent. Finally, she got some relief when we hired Ricky to assist Pop. So, for a number of years, it was Mom, Pop, and Ricky. I can remember a time when I was on the phone with Mom (a multiple daily occurrence) and down went Pop on the sidewalk outside. She said, “Just a minute, Ricky’s not here yet.” When she returned to the phone, I asked what she had done. She calmly stated, “I gave him a pillow and a blanket. He can take a nap til Ricky arrives.”

Mom was a trooper, supporting Pop for all those years until the disease finally took him from her, from us all, in 1997. She missed him dearly and often said so.

Helen Moves to Carlsbad…

In 1998, Mom wanted and needed a change. She was alone in that big harbor house with so many memories. Bob, Kristin, and I were living in Leucadia. We wanted her closer to us and she wanted that, too. The harbor house was sold, and she bought her darling house overlooking the lagoon in Carlsbad. She still had to have that water near by. She also purchased the condo in Mammath for the family to enjoy. Her health was good and after getting to be near her other 6 grandchildren while they grew up, she was now able to be there for Kristin growing up. Mom’s house was 5 minutes away from our house, so we were back and forth constantly. It was back to the soccer field, as it had been with Kelli and Jami in Huntington, only now Kristin was streaking down the field. She attended a multitude of horse shows, dance recitals, and basketball games. Gram’s house in Carlsbad became the place for sleepovers in the loft and ginger bread house making parties. Mom and I shopped together often, something she so enjoyed. She cooked dinner for us once a week, and she would be at our house for dinner as often. She loved to help, and I will always have the memory of her sitting on the bar stool, cutting up salad or green beans for me. She did this even her last Christmas here, though she could hardly see. She still tried. She did lots of gardening, and raised two dogs, Sweetie and Sammy, while living in Carlsbad. But, she still missed Pop, and said so, often.

Dealing with Alzheimer’s…

It was during her years in Carlsbad, that Alzheimer’s disease made its unfortunate appearance in Mom’s life. It progressed slowly for a long time. She forgot little things, began hiding her purse, feeding Peaches, her cocker spaniel, so much food that she looked like a balloon about to explode. She was able to stay in her home for many years. Bob became her caregiver, driving her to appointments, shopping with her, and keeping her company. We eventually hired Mary, who continued to help her live a quality of life safely on her own, but eventually, Mom’s memory worsened, and we feared she would get hurt or lost. The whole family rallied to move her into Sunrise, La Costa, a lovely assisted living facility. We were so nervous doing so. Afraid she would be angry, unhappy, upset. But, she thrived there. She made many new friends, enjoyed happy hour and music everyday, art activities and numerous outings. The folks there were very good to her. She felt safe and said so. After a year of living more or less independently there, she was moved downstairs to a more protected environment. Yet, she still seemed happy, enjoyed the people who helped her maintain her dignity, and kept several close friends. And, she still blessedly remembered her family. By 2008, the financial burden of the assisted living forced us to look for another solution to her care. God bless them, Ron and Judy took her into their home. They both worked hard to keep her healthy and happy. She once again was able to spend time with grandkids and now great grandkids. Her health, though, was now obviously declining. Kristin and Daniel became engaged, and we so hoped Gram would be able to see them married. She was hospitalized and spent time in a rehab. facility, and it became apparent that her health issues were beyond what Ron and Judy were trained to deal with. So, her next move was to a little home with 4 other ladies and wonderful care by the staff there. And, we kept reminding her that the wedding was approaching and we all wanted to see her dance at it. In addition, Jami and Troy were expecting their twins. Gram needed to meet them. I’m sure that looking forward to these two future events kept her going, frail as she was becoming.

More Than One Reason to Celebrate…

As you know, she made it to the wedding. In her pretty green suit, she walked proudly down that aisle on the arm of the usher. She laughed and had a great time. And she did dance across that dance floor, walker and all. She looked so cute. What a happy memory.

However, the Alzheimers and numerous other health issues were getting the best of her. She was in and out of the hospital and rehab again. She had such trouble swallowing and stopped eating. The weight was dropping off of her. She said she missed Pop and wanted to be with him. But, she hung in there for us a little longer. Embry and Sydney were able to meet and be held by their great grandma. Right up to the day before she could no longer keep up the fight to live.

Final Memories…

One of her final days, Saturday, August 21, was a good day for Mom, considering.

She was alert. Her neck was straight and her eyes were open. Amazingly, she could swallow. She drank. She was able to talk to the many visitors she had that day…Ron, Judy, Don, Sommer, Jolene, Jean, Charlene, and me. She had a heartfelt conversation on the phone with Kristin in Texas. She rallied.

But, she could hold on no longer. Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Aunt Helen, the friend of many, passed peacefully on Thursday, August 26, at 3:00 pm. She finally made it back to Pop.

I know I speak for all of us when I say we loved you so much, and we will miss you, Mom. You gave us a great life with you here on Earth. We have so many wonderful memories. It’s going to be hard not having you here with us, but we will be okay, eventually. You trained us well. We pray that you and Pop, and so many other loved ones, are up there together, having a grand old reunion.