Helen Bedtelyon

Precious Helen was my "Ratty" and I will forever be her "Mole" from "Wind in the Willows". We always addressed each other in phone calls and letters by those names. We would find each other after no longer working together after my first year teaching at John Glenn. Heart Lake in Gaylord Michigan to Seward Park in Seattle. We would find a water´s edge, a blanket, a bottle of wine and fill ourselves with cream cheese and raspberry jam on crackers. We would talk on things that mattered and...

"Aren't oak leaves beautiful?" She knows all that line means. Thank you, cherished friend. I love you.

A "fun" classmate at TLH High School Class of 1964. Bruce J. Byrne

I was fortunate to have Miss Bedtelyon as an English teacher at John Glenn High School many years ago. She challenged us and made the learning process fun. I am saddened to hear of her passing. Rest in Peace.

Bee was not just my teacher, she was a very dear friend. She had a way of inspiring all the misfits, artists, would-be writers, dreamers, other adventurous people, and all her students. She made so many people feel like they were special to her, and they were. She introduced me to Mr. Toad, Chaucer, The Hobbit, and all sorts of amazing literature. She was ever curious, ever kind, ever the best person you would want to know. She probably touched thousands of people and inspired them in...

Many classmates at John Glenn HS asked about her at our 50th class reunion in 2021. She was a wonderful, insightful person. Many of us remember the difficulty understanding BILLY BUDD. Hopeful, her classes in WA did not have to go through it, too. I saw former friend teachers of hers today, Mary Frost and JT Towlerton. We missed that she left and did not keep in touch. Glad that she had a wonderful life in WA. Her passing will touch all of us who knew her. Hopefully, she was able to...

It's the mid- seventies and the ever amazing "Lady B" has taken a group of " misfits" on a field trip to a Buddhist Temple...in the courtyard is a large gong that is fashioned from a spent artillery shell...it's sound is deep, resonant, and pure. I am struck by all the possibilities that can be realized when we "turn the world on it's head". Helen may be gone from this physical plane...but her spirit remains in every one of us.

Thank you Helen. Shine as bright in heaven bright like the smiles you gave our young faces when you were helping us learn HOW to think...

Helen was a wonderful friend and will be greatly missed. I have many great memories of her.