Catherine Ann Helgerman

Catherine Ann Helgerman came into this life on May 11, 1945, in New Jersey. She was one of three children. Her father was a carpenter, and her mother was a homemaker and part-time bookkeeper. Ann’s grandfather was a dairyman who made and sold ice cream, butter, and other milk products. Ann remembered visiting his business and watching him make apricot ice cream. She surmised that he could make any flavor anyone wanted.

Tragically, Ann lost her mother at the young age of 17. Her father passed away shortly afterward, leaving Ann, her sister Sandy, and her brother William on their own.

In her youth, Ann headed west and settled in Hanford, California, where she resided for the remainder of her life. She initially began working at a local bank that was just getting started. Shortly thereafter, Sandy followed her to California. Sandy lived in Hanford for a time before eventually settling in Reno with her husband, Mike. William worked for Reynolds Aluminum, where he traveled across the nation overseeing manufacturing.

Ann was fortunate to become a close friend and, ultimately, part of the family of Richard and Betty Jo Long. Ann was always welcomed at Long family events, holidays, and gatherings. She was an aunt to the Long children, especially Des and Mike, and later to their children, who all called her “Auntie Ann.”

In 1980, Ann left her position at the bank and began working for Joe Summers at Summers Engineering, where she faithfully served for 41 years before retiring in 2021. Ann was deeply dedicated to Summers Engineering, where she performed a myriad of accounting functions. She was also fiercely loyal to Joe Summers and the business and was able to navigate a variety of responsibilities, including serving as a travel agent and maintaining travel logs.

Ann was a prolific photographer throughout Hanford, as well as at various events at Summers Engineering, including the annual Christmas dinner at the Imperial Dynasty, and created photo books for posterity. Those photo books are still on the shelf at Summers Engineering, where they will remain.

Ann was a lifelong artist. She was skilled in photography, watercolor, drawing, painting, crochet, knitting, origami, calligraphy and cross-stitch. Additionally, she participated locally in the performing arts with the Kings Players and the Visalia Players. She also served as the bookkeeper for the Kings Symphony Orchestra.

Ann was also a member of the board of the Hanford China Alley Preservation Society for 35 years. Her most recent volunteer activities were with her church, the Center for Spiritual Living in Visalia, where she traveled weekly to perform a variety of service activities.

Ann was somewhat of an introvert and a private person, but she was extremely generous and would gladly lend a hand with whatever came along.

Ann will be greatly missed by all who encountered her. She leaves behind a legacy of quiet service and artistic excellence and beauty. Ann is survived by her many friends, friends who became family, coworkers, and colleagues. She was preceded in death by her mother, Trina; her father, Arthur; her sister, Sandy; and her friend, Richard and his son Michael.

Ann’s Celebration of Life will be held at 11 AM on August 22, 2026, at People’s Funeral Chapel, located at 501 N. Douty Street, Hanford, CA 93230. Seating is limited. Please join us after the service at the Hanford Civic Auditorium for a meal and an opportunity to celebrate and reflect upon Ann’s life of creating beauty.

Ann’s artwork will also be available through a raffle. All proceeds will benefit the Catherine Ann Helgerman Memorial Scholarship Fund, the “Catherine Ann Helgerman Memorial SCHOLARSHIP fund” to benefit Arts students in Kings and Tulare Counties.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Catherine Ann Helgerman Memorial Scholarship Fund (P.O. Box 347, Hanford, CA 93232).