Helen Audrey Bostwick's Obituary
Helen A. Bostwick, born September 24, 1926 in Pepin, Wisconsin, passed away January 10, 2016 in Dallas Texas. She is survived by her children Greg Bostwick (Julie Bonney) of Ithaca NY, Peggy DeVaney (Patrick DeVaney) of Austin TX, Tammy Wetzel (Rick Wetzel) of Mesquite TX, as well as by her grandchildren Brian DeVaney of Austin TX, Kristen Scully (Randall Scully) of Pflugerville TX, Courtney Wetzel of College Station TX and her great-grandchild Ethan Scully. Other surviving relatives include her brother Foil Miller, sisters Ruth Lindh, Carol Jackson, and Mildred Enquist and step-grandson Chad Wetzel. The youngest of six siblings, Helen was born to Fred and Bertha (nee Milliren) Miller on a cold, clear day with a few snowflakes in the air (according to her elder brother Foil) in the fall of 1926 in Pepin Wisconsin. Helen was a striking beauty as a girl with dark hair and beautiful eyes. After graduating from the all-grade Pepin Elementary, Middle and High School in 1944, Helen and a childhood friend picked cherries in Yakima, Washington. Helen worked in Yellowstone National Park for a summer before she enrolled at Brigham Young University in 1946 to study what was then called Home Economics. At BYU she met her husband-to-be Gordon Bostwick, who, as an accomplished dancer, managed to sweep her off her feet and fill her dance card at the “Queen of the Shadows” ball. After they married on January 24, 1948 in San Bernardino CA, they continued to dance together for many years, taking up square dancing while living in San Diego, to which they moved in 1951. As a one-car family in San Diego, Helen rode a bicycle to the grocery store, sometimes taking her daughter Peggy along for the ride. One of the signature meals she would cook for the family was tacos, the secret recipe for which was bequeathed to her from Mexico. She was also famous among the wives of Safeway Grocery Store executives (of which her husband Gordon was one) for her broccoli soup and beef fondue. Her children (Greg, Peggy and Tammy) note that Helen always encouraged them, supported their choices and gave advice only when asked. Tammy says Helen was a great role model. “She taught me how to cook, how to sew and how to be a great mother.” Peggy appreciates that Helen encouraged self-esteem in her family and friends, and encouraged her children to follow their dreams. She says, “Mom unconditionally loved her children, grandchildren, our spouses, and most recently her first great grandchild. I don’t remember her ever being angry but rather her love spurred confidence, security, and joy in the home.” Greg says of Helen, “She could see the good in any person or situation. Helen was gentle and generous, appreciative and thankful. Her friendship was a gift and her love was a blessing.” Helen’s neighbors in San Diego and later in Dallas (to which she and Gordon moved in 1966) cherished their friendships with her. Dallas neighbors remembered Helen for her reading, sewing and entertaining, the latter of which often included horseshoes and croquet. One Dallas couple who lived next door to Helen and Gordon for 36 years noted that there had never been a cross word between the two houses in all that time. A San Diego neighbor once wrote to Helen: “You have a special gift for doing loving deeds, you offer the encouragement that everyone really needs.” Helen’s family extends their thanks and gratitude to all those who helped make Helen’s life the rich and fulfilling experience it was, throughout every phase. Special thanks to her My Care Personal Assistants. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Helen Bostwick’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Lake Highlands United Methodist Church. And now, may “flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
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