Helene Peard
April 28, 1944 - August 15, 2022

In the early afternoon of August 15, 2022, Helene passed away, in Fresno CA, while being comforted by her family and friends, towards her next journey in her life. On May 15, 2022, Helene had suffered a significant stroke, in Amsterdam, after concluding a two-week trip on a riverboat cruise along the Dutch Waterways.

Primarily, Helene was a wife, mother, and homemaker. After her children entered grade school, Helene worked part time, as Office Assistant, at Gibson Elementary School. In 2005, Helene retired from Gibson and embarked on her lifelong love and hobby of antiquing. She loved the hunt, the gather, and the history of her finds but mostly loved the commonality it provided her and her friends.

Over the past 22 years, Helene had traveled on fourteen big trips with Tauck Tours. Some of those trips included: New England many times, Canadian Rockies, Danube and Rhine River cruises, France, Greece, England, Scotland, Wales, Bermuda, and most of the US. Helene always said that if she had her own hotel room and someone to carry her luggage, she was up for the adventure.

Helene's greatest loves were her children Garrett and Catherine, their spouses Elizabeth and Jason, and all five of her grandchildren.

Helene considered her Sunday night phone calls, with Garrett, the highlight of her week and weekend. She loved going up to visit Garrett and his family during the holidays and summertime. She looked forward to hearing funny stories about some of Garrett's patients and family pets. She enjoyed hearing about life updates and the adventures of Garrett's three children and learning about what each of them were studying in school or where they were traveling next. Simply stated, Helene was crazy about Garrett's children and was so proud of each of them for their individuality, accomplishments, and their abilities to manage all that their lives sent their way.

Helene was Catherine's "go to person" and vice versa. Helene was there for Catherine whenever she needed her. Helene never took for granted in having half of her family local to Fresno. She and Catherine spoke on the phone multiple times per day and would meet for lunch, where they would laugh and chat about her granddaughters and what was going on with them. Helene and Catherine had an unbreakable bond and one that was strong until the very end.

Helene got a kick (and an eye roll) out of listening to the latest and greatest zany stories around the Peters household. She loved watching her granddaughters participate in their activities and was always their number one fan. Helene loved each of her five grandchildren dearly and knew how to connect with them according to their unique and individual personalities. Each grandchild knew how special they were to their Grandma/ Gran. Each of them will miss her very much.

Helene thrived on routine but, in some ways, rolled with the punches. Past and particular life circumstances, forced her do the latter. Helene stressed the value of good manners, writing thank you notes, traveling when possible, being available for valued friends and family, but most of all, forging ahead in spite of tough days. Helene forged ahead the best she knew how in attempt to recover from her injury. One could not say that she did not give it her all, in her own way, on her own terms. She said her goodbyes to her loved ones and waited for Garrett, his family, her cat, and even Catherine's family dog, before she left this earth and departed for the Heavens. In some ways, Helene had her bags all packed and was just waiting to board the next flight towards her next adventure. Helene was loved dearly and will be missed greatly.

Helene is survived by her son, Garrett Peard, his wife Elizabeth, and their children, Nolan, Ansley, and Aidan, all of Medford, OR. Helene is also survived by her daughter, Catherine Peters, her husband Jason, their daughters, Sally and Tabitha, all of Fresno, CA.

A dinner and gathering, to remember Helene,
will be given on Saturday, October 8, 2022, starting at 5PM,
at the Stonebridge Clubhouse, located at Marks/ Herndon.

Remembrances can be made to the following:
Cascia Hall Foundation
Note:  In Memory of Devin DeJarnette
2520 S. Yorktown Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74114