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Helen HENDERSON Obituary

HENDERSON, Helen Kreider 81, of Tucson, AZ died Wednesday, April 12, 2017. Born in Harrisburg, PA to Judge Homer Kreider and Nita Spangler Kreider, she studied Anthropology as an undergraduate at Syracuse University, entering graduate school at the University of California, Berkeley in 1958. In 1959, she married fellow anthropology student Richard Henderson and together they did field research in Onitsha, Nigeria, leading to her Ph.D Dissertation in 1969, "Ritual Roles of Women in Onitsha Ibo Society". She became an Assistant Professor at Wellesley College, and operated the Biafran Children's Relief Fund in New Haven, Conn. during the Nigerian Civil War. In 1972 the family moved to Tucson where she taught anthropology at Pima College, ASU, and later at the University of Arizona. After field research in Niger (1977) and Burkina Faso (1978-9) within the UA Arid Lands program, she joined the Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology (BARA) and in 1983 created the Women in Developm ent Program, which sent more than 100 scholars to 29 countries for various programs in international development. Her own work took her to Mali, Tunisia, Guatemala, Mauritania, Egypt, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, Chad and Jamaica. She is survived by her husband, Dick and twin sons, Kevin (Anne) and Michael (Margaret).
Published by Arizona Daily Star on Apr. 19, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Helen HENDERSON

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Kara

April 15, 2020

I miss Helen. As someone who met and visited Helen in the last three years of her life I knew her as someone who used more visual than verbal to cue her audience to her comedic sense of the world. One of my favorite memories of her was her face-making in a wall mirror at a favorite restaurant of hers and mine. No sooner would we be seated than she would pull out her Kabuki style smile and her hands held high to project onto the mirror for any and all patrons who might be interested. There always ones who were, and who expressed their appreciation with approving laughter. Helen seemed like a natural comic to me. And, she seemed to understand that in her miming before the mirror she could still garner laughs with her comic antics. With or without words, she could still make people laugh. And, that seemed to please her.

Melissa McCormick

July 5, 2017

I just learned of Helen's passing, and the sound of her big laugh as well as the image of her empathetic smile immediately came
to mind.

As a graduate student in BARA in the late 1980s, I was one of the many female worker bees continuously buzzing around the "Queen's" hive for female empowerment as much as academic leadership.

Thinking of Helen will always make me smile and remember that I belong to an eternal sisterhood that is a fountain of joy and strength.

All of my sympathy goes out to Dick and "the boys."

Melissa McCormick

Liza Mulvenna Argue

June 2, 2017

I'm so very saddened to hear of Helen's passing. She was a lovely woman and a real sweetheart. Her activism and accomplishments on behalf of women in developing countries were truly groundbreaking and ahead of her time. My deepest condolences to her family. I feel fortunate to have known her. Rest in peace.

Cheryl Ritenbaugh

May 8, 2017

Helen's vast knowledge and humor always brightened our work together. I wish I could join you in the Memorial Service to celebrate her life and all that she brought to women and students at UA. I'll be holding you all in my heart.

United Nations Assoc. Center

May 3, 2017

Helen brightened and enriched the lives of our volunteers and customers. The Center is grateful for all the knowledge and joy she shared. Our sincere condolences to her family.

May 3, 2017

I have so many years of fond memories of Helen and her tireless efforts on behalf of women and her signature laugh and quick wit. She was a gem and BARA was enriched by her presence. Leonora Livingston Peabody continues to inspire. Norma Gonzalez

Lesley Agams

May 2, 2017

My sincere and heartfelt condolences on your loss.

Peter and Suzy Bourque

April 27, 2017

We are deeply saddened by this news but it must come with relief for the family. We knew Helen as the Queen of Women in Development in the 1980s. She was smart, competent, committed and warm and had a wonderful sense of humor that was complemented by her trademark cackling laugh.

Carolyn Niethammer

April 27, 2017

The sly smile in the picture reminds me so much of amusing conversations with Helen over the years. She often ended a pronouncement with her signature laugh. I would have loved to see her at work in the field.

Kerstin M. Reinschmidt

April 25, 2017

I was lucky to have had Helen on my dissertation committee... She was a delight to work with! I'm thinking of Helen and sending my condolences to the family.

Kerstin M Reinschmidt

April 25, 2017

I was lucky to have had Helen on my dissertation committee... She was a delight to work with! I'm thinking of Helen and sending my condolences to the family.

Pat

April 22, 2017

I'm so sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one in death can make us feel so helpless. May you gain strength by pouring out your heart in prayer to God.

Kara Harter

April 22, 2017

Helen continues to inspire me in my work with Alzheimer's patients. She let me know how much love, touch, and communication can mean to someone with this illness. How another's mere presence can bring comfort.

And, how much a comedic self can shine, even through the heavy veil of Alzheimer's.

And, finally, how much someone with Alzheimer's is STILL there... before she is gone.
Thank you, Helen.
Love you, Kara

Mette Brogden

April 21, 2017

Helen was a great teacher, passionate about the Women in Development program at BARA, and had enormous practical, theoretical, and research knowledge which she shared in the most accessible way with students. A great soul!

Ellen Basso

April 20, 2017

A lovely generous, caring woman. All were welcome to her home. I remember well the wonderful parties she and Dick gave. Helen was admired and respected throughout the academic world for her dedication to research on African women.

Barbara Callaway

April 20, 2017

I knew Helen from her work in Africa and with the Women and Development program. She was ever kind, ever gracious and a wonderful colleague and scholar.

Erika Foye

April 20, 2017

Kevin, Thanks for sharing the beautiful photo and all the wonderful work your mother did and vast experiences she had. She was special. Thinking of you, Erika

Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results

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