Helen Louise Calkins

HELEN LOUISE ROLLER CALKINS

November 11, 1924 - October 19, 2022

Helen Louise Roller Calkins passed away peacefully at home on October 19, 2022.

She was born on the John Taylor farm, in Marion County, Kentucky, on November 11, 1924, spent her youth on a farm in Gravel Switch, KY, and graduated from Forkland High School in 1942. She met her future husband, William H. Calkins, in Fort Knox, KY, where he served in the Army Band Corps. They married on April 26, 1946, in Louisville. Soon after, they moved to the Chicago area, where Bill established himself as a professional musician.

While living in Evanston, IL, they started their family and had three children. Then, in 1959, they moved to the Los Angeles suburb of Reseda in the San Fernando Valley. There she continued her role as homemaker & mother. She was dedicated to her husband and children. However, Bill & Helen missed their parents, so for many summers, the Calkins family would travel back to Kentucky and Wisconsin for visits. When her husband was invited to join the Billy Vaughn band for tours in Japan, she went along on many occasions. They especially enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii and going on multiple cruises along the Mexican coast.

As her children grew, Helen found part time employment at Rocketdyne as an Administrative Assistant. She was also very involved in the First United Methodist Church of Reseda, supporting the ladies events throughout the year, where she had many friends.

Her husband passed away in January, 2018, after 72 years of marriage. She is survived by daughter Linda Louise Dusckett; daughter Gloria Jean Silvestri; son William Henry Calkins, Jr; grandson Jeffery Garrett Silvestri; grandaughter Amy Rochelle Lonberger; and five great grandchildren.

Both Helen & Bill will continue to be together as they rest in peace at the Columbarium at the Los Angeles National Cemetery.