Obituary: Helen Greenwood DeBry

Helen Greenwood DeBry

1909 ~ 2008

Our beloved mother, Helen Greenwood DeBry, passed away peacefully on January 8 2008 at the home of her son, Lynn DeBry. Helen was born April 21, 1909 in American Fork, Utah to William Snow Greenwood and Etta Caroline Cullimore Greenwood.

Mom and her five wonderful sisters ("the Greenwood Girls") grew up in the area of American Fork Canyon. She witnessed almost a century of amazing progress. She remembers the horse-and-buggy era, but also the new technology of the automobile, airplane, and the use of the electricity to light an entire city.

She was a businesswoman who ran her own beauty parlor; she was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After Frank DeBry's first wife died, he eventually came courting Helen. Helen fell in love with Frank and with Frank's daughter, Renee. On April 21, 1943, she married Francis (Frank) Joseph DeBry in the Salt Lake Temple. The birth of their son, Lynn, completed the family. Frank and Helen served as missionaries in the Northern States mission for two years. They also served for over 10 years in the Ogden Temple. Helen enjoyed many wonderful friends in her 56 years as a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Most of all, she cherished her role as a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved and adored her posterity. Her life was an example of love, service and guidance for all who knew her.

Helen is survived by two of her sisters: Grace Rands and Beth Kidd. She is now having a wonderful reunion with her husband, Frank, and her other sisters: Clara Elton, Ruth Carlisle and LaRee Adams. She is also survived by her daughter, Renee Barker (Richard, deceased) and son, Lynn DeBry (DeAnna), plus 12 grandchildren (Steven, deceased) 31 great-grandchildren, and 21 great-great grandchildren.

The entire family wishes to thank Hospice for Utah (especially Mary and Kami) for the caring and professionalism they brought to mom in her final months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to the Perpetual Education Fund or Missionary Fund.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at Leavitt's Mortuary, 836 36th Street, Ogden. Family and friends may call 6:30-8 p.m. on Friday, January 11th and one-hour prior to the services at the mortuary. Online condolences may be sent to

the family at www.leavittsmortuary.com