Helen Maher

1934 - 2022

Helen Irene Maher was born in Lawrence, Kansas to Dorothy and James Weed on December 31, 1934. She grew up in El Reno, Oklahoma, living in housing at the Federal Penitentiary where her father was an officer. She loved telling people she grew up at "a penitentiary". She was always a leader, beginning at El Reno High School. She was the president of the athletic cheering squad, the Pepetts, as well as an academic standout, graduating at the top of her class in 1953. She enjoyed returning for her class reunions and reconnecting with lifelong friends. She went on to study at the University of Oklahoma and graduated a proud Sooner in 1957 with a degree in Business Education, specializing in business machines (before computers). She was an officer and member in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She married Thomas R. Maher on August 24, 1957. She became an Air Force wife. She had four daughters all born in different places: Missouri, Arizona, Germany, and New Jersey. Once out of the Air Force, she spent 8 years in New Jersey before finding her beloved home in Estes Park, Colorado. She was able to remain in Estes Park until one year before her passing, when she moved to a memory care facility in Lakewood, Colorado. She lived in Estes Park for 48 years. First and foremost, Helen was a woman of faith. She was a longtime member of Mountain View Bible Church and volunteered countless hours in the kitchen, on boards, and at Awana. Early in her faith, she would drive 45 minutes in order to attend Bible Study Fellowship each week. She was also a faithful member of Community Bible Study. One grandson noted that she was "still trying to dive deeper into the Word and learn more and more" about her Savior right up until her passing. She was a world traveler, an accomplished seamstress, fabulous cook, hiker, skier, fast walker, Girl Scout, and Awana leader. All who knew Helen were blessed to share in her active life, enjoying frequent trips into the beautiful wilderness surrounding Estes Park. One grandson remembers, "She was a heck of a mini golfer!", and Helen was sure to take each of her grandchildren to Tiny Town Miniature Golf, a family favorite. A close friend crowned her the Garage Sale Queen, as she was always a woman who couldn't resist a good deal. It was undeniable that Helen had tremendous style, and she filled her house with treasures that she found both sifting through garage sales in Estes Park, antique stores and her travels. She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings, sister, Nancy Herberger (El Reno, OK) and brother, James Weed (Oklahoma City, OK). She is survived by her four daughters; Kathy (Tom) Watters of Helena, MT, Kimberly (Paul) Casey of Lakewood, CO, Kelly (Carl) Talsma of Whitefish, MT, and Krista (David) Erikson of Wakefield, NH. She is further survived by her 11 grandchildren; Ben (Rachael) Watters, Emily (Jonathan) Weaver, Luke (Sarah Beth) Watters, Francis (Angelie) Casey, Daren Casey, Marissa (Matthew) Mitchell, Carl (Lucy) Talsma, Erik (Tara) Erikson, Josh Erikson, David (McKenzie) Erikson, and Daniel Erikson, and 17 great grandchildren. A service will be held at the Wesley United Methodist church in El Reno, Oklahoma at 11:00 on February 26, 2022. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be given to Awana at awana.org in memory of Helen Maher as many of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been involved in Awana over the years. Helen also traveled to Israel with Awana. A special thank you to all the caregivers at The Ridge Pinehurst in Lakewood, Colorado for the kind and loving care given to Helen. Please visit Helen's online obituary at www.horancares.com to leave memories and condolences on her tribute wall.