Search by Name

Alice Helfrich Obituary

Alice was born at home in Ferndale, MD to Paul & Alice Gray Johancen on October 30, 1931. She was welcomed by one brother, Howard, and many Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Her Mother was the youngest of 13 children. During the depression the family moved to Pennsylvania where her father found work. Her sister, Joan was born there. When the family moved back to Ferndale they were able to buy back the same house that was lost during the depression.
Alice met her beloved husband, George, on a Baltimore boat as her family and friends went to a beach and amusement park. At this time she was a telephone operator, though George was still in high school. They married at Ferndale Methodist Church in 1952 and lived in the area until he was drafted during the Korean War. Alice traveled with him to New Jersey, Alabama, New Mexico and California. She worked in civil service jobs during that time.
Janet & Paul were born while George was in college at the University of MD. After graduation, George was offered a job at White Sands. Alice was reluctant to leave Maryland, family and crab cakes, but of course, she did, moving to Las Cruces in 1959. They added Don to their family in 1963.
Alice worked at Director of Education at St. Paul's Methodist Church for 10 years, during that time she attended SMU in Dallas and was consecrated a Diaconal Minister. When the Diaconate was phased out she had the opportunity to become an Ordained Deacon. She was the first woman so ordained in the United States.
Alice started college at NMSU in 1968 and after 10 years received her bachelors degree in Gerontology and English. She was the first local person hired at University Terrace Good Samaritan Village as the Assistant Administrator. She earned a NM Nursing Home Administrators License and after almost 20 years there, retired as Director of Resident Services, a job she loved very much. During that time, she served on the board of Nursing at NMSU. She was also one of the founders of the Academy of Learning in Retirement. She served on the Landsun Board, a retirement community in Carlsbad, owned by the New Mexico Methodist Conference.
After retirement, she and George traveled to Europe, Hawaii and South America. They also traveled to see their five grandchildren, Josh & Gwen Miller, the children of Janet & Rick, Anja, daughter of Don & Jeanette, and George T. & John, children of Paul and Maureen. She and George enjoyed them all and love them dearly.
Alice and Josh are big Dallas Cowboy fans and have attended games together (sometimes with Gwen). They also traveled to Dallas for the last game played in Texas Stadium. She greatly enjoyed the fact that Josh & Gwen attended NMSU, came for dinner and games and had lots of fun together.
Alice wrote the above in 2008, shortly after showing early signs of Alzheimers. She battled with grace and dignity for 10 years and died with that same grace & dignity on February 28, 2018 in Las Cruces, NM.
A memorial service to celebrate Alice's life will be held on Saturday, March 24th at 1:00pm at St. Paul's Methodist Church, 225 W. Griggs, Las Cruces, NM. A reception will follow at 2:30 at Good Samaritan Las Cruces Village, Social Center, 3011 Buena Vida Circle, Las Cruces NM. Rev. Paul Duerksen & Rev. Gorton Smith will officiate the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Alzheimer's Association PO Box 21400, Albuquerque, NM 87154
Arrangements are with LaPaz-Graham's Funeral Home. To sign the online guest book visit: www.lapaz-grahams.com

Published by Las Cruces Sun-News on Mar. 21, 2018.
34465541-95D0-45B0-BEEB-B9E0361A315A

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
for Alice Helfrich

Sponsored by LCsun-news.com.

Not sure what to say?





1 Entry

Mrs. Helfrich, was a very good and understanding person,who care d very much..She will be dearly missed.

Leticia Fickes

March 24, 2018

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results

Make a Donation
in Alice Helfrich's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for Alice Helfrich

Mar

24

Memorial service

1:00 p.m.

St. Paul's Methodist Church

225 W. Griggs, Las Cruces, NM

Funeral services provided by:

Perches - Graham's Funeral Home (La Paz - Graham's Funeral Home)

555 West Amador, Las Cruces, NM 88005

How to support Alice's loved ones
Commemorate a cherished Veteran with a special tribute of Taps at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Alice Helfrich's life and legacy
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more