Maria Elena (Helen) Contreras

Helen was born in Leon Guanajuato, Mexico, the eldest of seven children. Helen grew up on the farms, helping her dad with the management of them. Throughout her teenage years, Helen developed a love for basketball and was named Ms. Basketball for Fabens High School in 1962. Helen worked a multitude of jobs, beginning with Sunkist Growers to Sears & Roebuck Company, then landing a career with the United States Postal Service, from which she retired in 2001. Helen was an extremely creative and crafty person, renowned for making floral arrangements, homecoming mums, had a special talent for macramé, and made the best biscochos. Helen enjoyed playing Bingo, dancing the night away to her oldies, and spending time with her family.

Helen is preceded in death by her father, Jose Jesus Sierra; mother, Leonor Vega Sierra; and sister, Juanita Hernandez. Helen is survived by her 4 children: Leopoldo (Valerie Lynn) Contreras III; Jose David (Maria Rosario) Contreras; Veronica Anne Rodriguez; and Maria Elena Sierra Mesquita; her 7 grandchildren: Aaron Michael (Leigh) Contreras, Justin Scott Contreras, Holly Marie (Anthony) Gonzalez, Izak Zeil Contreras, Veronica Lynn Contreras, Tomas Rodriguez, III, and Audrey Nicole Rodriguez; and her 3 great-grandchildren: Demi Contreras, Vincent Aaron Contreras, and Lydia Valeria Gonzalez.