Helen Cochkanoff Fanslow

Helen Cochkanoff Fanslow

Helen Cochkanoff Fanslow was born to Barbara and Joachim Cochkanoff, immigrants who fled Russia during the revolution, met in China, and married in Canada.

She had fond memories growing up in Cranbrook BC on a dude ranch, and later living in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In 1958, she married Clay Fanslow who whisked her off to the United States in his 1957 red Chevy Belair convertible. She became a U.S. citizen in 1966. They built their home on Aspen Drive in the Rattlesnake with the help of good friends Fred Lehman and Herb Wanke. For many years, Helen and Clay and their two children Heidi and Mark camped, fished, and picnicked in the beautiful Rocky Mountain West.

In Missoula, Helen worked as a bookkeeper at Garden City Floral and then as a real estate agent with Lambros Realty - jobs she thoroughly enjoyed.

Helen, like many on her mother's side of the family, loved to paint: mostly landscapes with the occasional horse, buffalo or trout. Clay framed much of her work in barn wood. More than 30 of her paintings lined the walls of her room at The Springs in Missoula.

Helen is survived by her children Heidi (Michael Young) of Missoula and Mark (Mary Hodges) of Spokane; her sister, Anna Gandossi of Vancouver BC; and many cousins, and nieces and nephews, residing across Canada. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clay; her brother, Orest Cochkanoff; and sisters Sasha Jackson, and Irene Nettles.