Obituary: Helen Lee Waddell Puckett
After suffering for 18 years with Alzheimer's disease, our sweet Mother, Helen Lee Waddell Puckett, age 84, was released from her earthly bonds on May 30, 2015. Her life began March 16, 1931, in Pankeyville, Illinois, to James Henry and Lena Fern James Waddell, the oldest of five children. She Married Lowell Gene "Skeeter" Puckett March 11, 1950, in Harrisburg, where their life together began before the first of nearly 100 moves, always together as a family. Dad's work as a welder and diesel mechanic started in Illinois and took them to many locations in the western United States which included Wyoming, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Oklahoma, Colorado and Hawaii. It was a fun life full of adventure and exploration with their daughters making many wonderful, lifelong friends along the way. Always a loving wife and Mother, she made sure music was a constant in our home. Mom played the piano and had a beautiful singing voice (Dad played the mandolin, guitar) and Mom fell hard into Alzheimer's after Dad's death, November 27, 1996. A strong and devout woman of faith she taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school and music programs in every community we lived. The First Baptist Church in Duchesne, Utah was started in our living room as a bible study in 1967. She was also a voracious reader and loved to knit and crochet. She loved writing letters and remembered every birthday and anniversary. Her Christmas letter list had over 300 members. She loved corresponding with friends and family and would have loved email and Facebook! Mom is survived by her three daughters; Paula (Bill) Bailey, Susan Puckett Hamilton, all Duchesne, Utah; Lee Ann (Jamie) Sparger, Vernal, Utah; nine grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Living siblings are James Waddell, Dorothy (Charles) Buchanan, all of Harrisburg; Mary (Larry) Cantrell, She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant son, Robert Lowell Puckett (1951), brother, John Dale Waddell and sister-­in­-law Barbara Waddell.
To Mother's wonderful neighbors; our greatest blessings to you and your families for watchful eyes, true concern for her well being, and the help with Mom and her property. We know we can never repay your kindnesses; thank you!
The family would like to thank all of Mother's care givers at Parkside Manor in Roosevelt and Beehive Homes in Vernal, for your kind and gentle care. And to the staff at The Villa, where she has been a resident since its opening in 2008, we are forever grateful for your tender care and loving kindness toward our Mom and for your support, counsel and treasured friendships over.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday evening June 2, 2015, at 7 p.m. at the Hullinger Mortuary, where a visitation will be held beginning at 6 p.m. Burial will be in Harrisburg. Condolences may be shared at www.hullingermortuary.com.