Obituary: WOODS, HELEN HUNT

Helen Hunt Woods1924 ~ 2011Helen Hunt Woods, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. She was 85 years old. Born on February 19, 1924, to Marion Perle and Ione Perkins Hunt in Bluff, San Juan County, Utah. She was the granddaughter of Hole-in-the-Rock pioneers and was always proud of this heritage. She loved growing up in Bluff, and had a lifelong affection for the beautiful red cliffs and sweeping landscapes of San Juan County. She enjoyed spending summers with her family at the Kigalia Ranger Station on Elk Mountain, where her father was a forest ranger. After her father's unexpected death in 1938, she moved to Salt Lake City with her mother and graduated from South High School. She also attended Ventura (Calif.) Junior College and Yuba (Calif.) City College. Helen and her sweetheart, Lewis Wesley Woods, Jr. (Wes), married in Elko, Nevada on October 10, 1944 after eight days of courtship. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake Temple. They spent 68 happy years together on earth and look forward to eternity together.Due to Wes' career in the Air Force, the family relocated often, living in Great Falls, MT; Mountain Home, ID; Walla Walla, WA; Honolulu, HI; Chandler, AZ; Boise, ID; Camarillo, CA; Anchorage, AK; Grass Valley, CA; Fairbanks, AK and retiring to Boise, ID and subsequently to Salt Lake City. Everywhere they lived, they made lasting friendships that have endured through the years and have brought them much joy and happiness.Helen was a loving, compassionate woman who was always looking for opportunities to serve others. Professionally, she worked as Medical Secretary to the Clinical Director of the Camarillo State Hospital, ANS Hospital, and the Alaska Psychiatric Hospital. She was active in the PTA and in the Boy Scouts of America, having served for several years as a Den Mother. She was especially proud that three of her sons and two of her grandsons are Eagle Scouts. She served as Secretary of the National Kidney Foundation Idaho Chapter and as "First Lady" of the WBCCI, Utah Unit.Helen served faithfully in numerous positions within the LDS Church, including as Junior Sunday School Coordinator, Primary President, Young Women's President, Ward and Stake Relief Society President (several times), Seminary Teacher, Family History Extraction Worker and as a faithful Visiting Teacher.Helen is survived by her devoted husband, Wes, a daughter: Darla (Keith) Abreu, Boise, ID; three sons: Buzz (Anne), San Antonio, TX; Chip (Lynette), Clayton, CA; and D.J. (Heather), Kuna, ID; 16 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, David and his wife Roxann.Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 19, 2011, at noon, at the LDS Millcreek Stake Center located at 4220 S Jeannine Drive (420 East) Salt Lake City, Utah. Friends and family may call Sunday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Stake Center and from 10:30 am to 11:30 am prior to the services on Monday. Interment will be at Mountain View Memorial. Condolences may be sent to the family through www.memoriaulutah.com