Helen Hawk Windes

August 12, 1924, to August 19, 2012

Helen was born to Albert Templeton and Edith Danielson Hawk in Chicago, Illinois. Her father was the lead architect for the Rock Island Railroad for 42 years. Helen was a graduate of Penn Hall Junior College and received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Journalism from Northwestern University. The family moved to California in 1949, settling in Hollywood. This is when Helen began her journalism career at the Valley Times newspaper.

In 1952, she took to a trip to Hawaii and fell in love with the islands, where she lived for the next five years. She was an Information Specialist with the Military Air Transport Service at Hickam Air Force Base. She was also Editor of Trans Pacifican, which led to many reporting trips around the South Pacific and Orient. Eventually she moved to Playa Del Rey, where she was on the Information Staff of Pan American Airways and enjoyed vacation trips throughout the world.

Helen had been a resident of Bakersfield for the past 45 years and was actively involved in the philanthropic community. Her $1,000,000 contribution endowed the Helen Louise Hawk Honors program at California State University, Bakersfield. The rapidly growing Honors Program and all its activities were her greatest joy.

She was a longtime supporter of the Haggai Institute, which trains third- world mission leaders, as well as the American Cancer Society and the Arthritis Association. Helen was a past President of Bakersfield Republican Women’s Federated and Sustainers of Assistance League of Bakersfield. She was a 40-year member of Assistance League both as an Associate and Sustainer. Helen’s love of music led to her long and active support of the Bakersfield Symphony. She was also a member of the Bakersfield Museum of Art’s Blue Ribbon Circle. She was the first “single lady” member of Stockdale Country Club, where she had been a member for 37 years. She was a charter member of 60 Plus as well as a member of PEO Chapter OU and Chi Omega Alumni. She also proudly served on the Advisory Board of Teen Challenge. She was a 46-year member of the First Presbyterian Church, where she was active in Clipper Club and women‘s activities. She was a great supporter of the Bakersfield Arts, including the Fox, Spotlight, and Jewel Box Theaters.

World travel was Helen’s greatest avocation. She particularly enjoyed sailing on her favorite cruise lines, Seabourn and Crystal. There were very few places in the world she hadn’t visited; her last trip was to Cairo, where she met with an Egyptian missionary whom she sponsored through the Haggai Institute. She enjoyed unusual places such as Antarctica, the Vail of Kashmir, the Fjords of Norway, and the Panama Canal. Her very favorite places were the Hawaiian Islands and Society Islands. Her favorite foreign cities were Hong Kong, Singapore, Rio de Janeiro, and Paris.

Helen’s only living relative is her cousin, Louise Stiers, of Chicago, Illinois, but she leaves countless friends throughout the world. Helen was loved and will be missed by many, including her favorite toy poodle Haole and countless furry friends who predeceased her. Helen will be especially missed by her “A-Team”: Kathy, Sue, and Susan, as well as Elizabeth, Lou, Michael, and Vickie, all of whom she considered family. On behalf of Helen, we would like to extend a special thank you to “Lou,” her primary caregiver for the last two years, and to Guardian Homecare for their service. Thank you to Odyssey Hospice for their support and compassion, and to Dr. Tommy Lee and Drs. Aldoori and Al Qaisi for their exceptional care of Helen.

Helen's Memorial Service is scheduled for Saturday, September 8, 2012, 9:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 1705 17th Street in Bakersfield. The service will be conducted by Dr. John Edmund Haggai of Haggai Institute and Senior Pastor Jeff Chandler of First Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to your favorite charity in Helen’s name.