Helen Irene Stevenson

Helen Irene Stevenson

Helen Irene Stevenson was born in Chicago in 1931. Her parents were Helen and George McNally. Irene grew up in Homewood, Illinois, and graduated from the Homewood Elementary and Middle Schools, and Thornton Township High School. She graduated from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, with a major in Music. Upon graduation, she became choral director of music in the Freeport, Illinois High School for two years. Yearning to travel, she joined her sister in France as a Department of the Army civilian in the Special Services and Recreation Division. In that capacity, she provided weekend tours and recreational activities for American Soldiers stationed in France. She was originally stationed in Poitiers, and then was transferred to Captieux in 1959, where she was put in charge of the Army Recreational Facility of that base. She had the opportunity to travel widely in Europe and did so with great enthusiasm.

It was during this time that Irene met her first husband Paul Brannan. Upon his discharge from the Army, they returned to the states where they were married in Staten Island, New York. They soon moved to Monrovia, California, where he had a teaching position starting in the fall of 1960. Irene had previously taught in both Iowa and Illinois, but took some graduate courses at the Los Angeles State University so as to be accredited in elementary and early childhood education to teach at the elementary level in California.

It was during their three years in the Southern California area when both of her children were born, Christopher in Arcadia and Camilyn in Duarte. In 1963, Paul was hired as the Principal of Redway Elementary School and the family moved to Redway. Cami was just twelve days old at that time. In 1966, Irene was scheduled to begin teaching as the primary grade teacher in Piercy. However, shortly before the school year began, the previous kindergarten teacher passes away. Irene was transferred to that position just three days before the school year began. Ironically, her son Chris was in that first class. It was there in room nine where she continued to teach in the same classroom and the same grade for 35 years. Irene often joked that “as an antique,” she had taught three generations of some families and had had nearly everyone in town in her classes at one time or another. Her annual Kindergarten Circus was legendary and a magical fixture in the minds of “children of all ages.”

In 1979 Irene married Dr. David Stevenson. Together they enjoyed his gourmet cuisine, the companionship of their various beloved dogs, and classical music. Sadly, Irene was preceded in death by David in 1999. She was also preceded in death in 2002 by her daughter Dr. Camilyn Irene Brannan-Resnick who had become a preeminent research scientist at the University of Florida, Gainesville.

Irene was active in and supported almost every local organization imaginable including; the Brownies, The PTA, the Eta Chi Sorority, The Cornell College Alumni Association, Epsilon Sigma Alpha International. She was a board member of the Healy Senior Center. She had been a member of the Humboldt County Grand Jury and was an Elder at the Garberville Presbyterian Church. She truly loved this community and gave generously and compassionately to its various causes. She also cherished the deepening friendships she maintained in this community and all over the world. Hardly a birthday or any other significant event in a friends’ life could go by without a card being sent by Irene. She quietly helped support her friends in need when they needed help the most and never asked for repayment or recognition.

Helen Irene Stevenson is survived by her son, Chris Brannan of Garberville and his wife Brigette Brannan; grandson, Sam Resnick of Gainesville, Florida; Sam’s father and Camilyns’ husband, Dr. James Resnick; sister, Carolyn Anderson of Virginia; brother, George McNally of Indiana; and four cherished nephews and a lovely niece.

A memorial celebrating Irene’s life will be held on Saturday June 23rd, 2007, at the Redway Elementary School, Redway, CA, at 12:00 noon. The Garberville Rotary Club will be hosting a barbeque following the service; those who live locally are encouraged to bring a pot luck item such as an hors d’oevre, side dish or dessert.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to make a donation in Irene’s name may consider the following organizations: Heart of the Redwoods Hospice, 464 Maple Lane, Garberville, CA 95542 (707) 923-7276; The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 2141 Rosecrans Ave Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245 (877) 272-6226. In addition a Helen Irene Stevenson Memorial Scholarship has been established with the Humboldt Area Foundation for the benefit of local students. Contact: Alexandria Reid, HAF, 373 Indianola Rd, Bayside, CA 95524 (707) 442-2993.

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