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Helen Collignon Obituary
Our beloved wife and Mother left this earth to be with the Lord peacefully at her home on the morning of June 8th, one month after her 87th birthday.
Helen was born in Indianapolis Indiana to Ed and Gladys Russell. Helen has an older brother Eddy Jr. and a younger sister Pattie. She was preceded in death by her Mother, Father and older brother Eddy Jr. She leaves behind her husband of 63 years Paul, sister Pattie and her three children David, Gary and Anne. She also leaves behind 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Paul and Helen moved to California shortly after marriage. During her years in California, Helen loved to show her children how to experience life. She and Paul took the family by car every summer across the United States to show us our great and beautiful country. Those trips also included trips to Mexico and Canada; we will always remember those summers. Weekend camping trips were also a big part of our life growing up with Mom. We would just be getting back from our outing and she and Dad would be planning the next one. Great fun and many good memories.
Helen and Paul spent 2 years in Greece, and during those years they were able to travel throughout Europe. Helen spoke very fondly of those years abroad.
She and Paul retired to Santa Cruz in 1990. Helen loved the ocean and wanted to be close to it. She loved to swim and snorkel the reefs in Hawaii, and they made many trips to the island over the years. Helen was active in our community and was member of Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church. She was active in new comers and had her Bridge group that she loved. We are not sure what she liked more, the Bridge or the group of people she regularly played with. Mom was a gardener. The garden was always beautiful and filled with roses. Every place she lived she always had a rose garden. We will always be comforted when we are around a beautiful garden knowing Mom is there.
We will all miss her and the huge roll she played in out lives. We ask you to join us in a celebration of her life on Saturday June 26th at 1:00 pm at Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church: 9850 Monroe Ave. Aptos, CA 95003.
In lue of flowers, please send a donation in Helens name to your favorite charity.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Helen Collignon
July 13, 2010
Dear David, Gary & Ann,
I was so sorry to hear about your Mom passing, you all were such great neighbor's to us growing up. I know Mom & Dad had lots of fun with them. Cheryl & I seem to always be with Gary & David growing up. I know there reunion in Heaven must be wonderful. Love to you all and hope you keep all those great memories forever.
Love, Cindy Emery [email protected]
Cyndi Griggs
July 1, 2010
Dear David, Gary and Ann, We were so sorry to hear of your loss. Helen was a lovely and fun person, and will always be remembered fondly. All of us were so happy to see her at mom's 8oth birthday party, (Aunt Ruth.) I hope it comforts you to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Much love, from your Arbuckle cousins, Cyndi, Jody, and Peg.
Peggy Arbuckle
June 30, 2010
Dear Anne, Gary & David,
I am so sorry we did not know about your loss until now. Dave and I have been on vacation since June 1st and just returned last night. I remember how beautiful your Mom was when I was a little girl. I was 8yrs old when she married your Dad and I remember how happy they both were. I can still see them sitting on your Grandma's ottoman in her living room just beaming at each other. They were beautiful people who created a beautiful family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Fondly, "Cousins" Peggy, Jody & Cindy
Cassandra Davies
June 29, 2010
May your family be always blessed with the love and memories of who your mother was and the influence she had on your lives.
Peace & Blessings,
June 25, 2010
My family lived on Drysdale Drive nextdoor to the Collignon family for a few years, then across the street after my father died. I remember playing with her two boys David and Gary and once she allowed them to sleep in my backyard tent with me, thought I don't think we lasted through the night! She was always kind and had a beautiful smile. She was a great comfort to my mom when my dad died. Helen, Laura Emery, and Muriel Baudet(my mom) were all good friends and being stay home moms enjoyed each other's company and raising their families together. It was a great block to grow up. As it turns out, I will not be able to come to the funeral though I wish I could, as my best friend's mom died also and I will be attending a funeral in Los Altos. I am sorry for your great loss Paul, David, Gary, and Anne and May God comfort you at this time. Love, Denise (Baudet) Valderrama
Ann Walton
June 21, 2010
Helen and Paul were good neighbors on Drysdale in San Jose. In those days, we were settling into our tract houses, landscaping and "adding to". We were a community of parents who worked to have a pleasant and safe place for our children. We all looked after the 51 children on our block. We didn't need play dates in those days. Just step outside. With a variety of ages, there was always someone ready to play. Helen was friendly, trustworthy, sensible, generous. Together with Paul they ran a "tight ship" and inspired the rest of us. Helen will always be in my best memories of those days.
Katherine (Katie Herman) Vander Vennet
June 21, 2010
I remember so many things about "Mrs. Collignon." We weren't allowed to call her "Helen" in those days! She was always really elegant and put together, with her coiffed hair and cute pant suits! She made sure Annie could entertain her buddies (you know who you are) in a cool pool, with a huge stuffed lion and a little red playhouse (including curtains!) that we spent a LOT of time in! I thought she was pretty fierce when I was little, (cue the Jujitsu) but as I saw her when I was older, I realized what an old softie she really was, with a lot of courage, strength and wisdom. Always a had big smile and looked right at you. But who I know the best was her daughter Anne, who was able to grow up with, spend time with, take care of (in return), and love her up til the end of her well-lived life on earth. What a gift for both of them, and for me to hear the stories throughout the years. I'll miss her but keep her memories and see her spirit in Anne.
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