In the morning hours of Monday, 9th of May 2016, Helen Gruwell Richins was welcomed to her heavenly home by her eternal companion Ether Wellington "Bill" Richins Jr., where they are together again, forever.
The world lost a valiant woman and our family lost our loving matriarch, yet heaven gained a sweet and diligent angel capable of much good.
Helen was born on July 20, 1928 in Lordsburg NM to Aaron Card and Wynona Pierce Gruwell.
Though petite in stature and build, Helen grew from a fragile infant of 2 pounds to become a strong determined woman with an unwavering testimony of Christ. She cherished her membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
She met Bill at an LDS youth activity. They were married in Las Cruces NM her freshman year of college. They traveled to be sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they were parents of six daughters and four sons.
She always sang in the choir in whichever ward she belonged.
She was a graduate of BYU.
She was a published writer.
Loved water color painting,
Poetry and nature.
She broke her own horse.
She told it like it was and we loved her for it.
Family was important to Helen and reunions, holiday dinners, birthday gatherings and barbecues in the park are all cherished memories. She used her talents to serve others and served faithfully all her life.
She is survived by one brother, Angus (Jannette) Gruwell, and Nine of her ten children: Rebecca (Skitter) Varela; Mandy Wayman; Wynona (Jim) Mayer; Rachel V. Richins;
Gordon (Faustine) Richins; Aaron (Pam) Richins; Leah (Morgan) Smith; Greg Richins; and Robyn (Oscar) Barrio; 24 grandchildren and 36.5 great grandchildren. Many nieces and nephews, Who all loved her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, a son Angus O. Richins, grandson Daniel Joseph Richins and great grandson Daniel J. Gallegos, great grand daughter Addison Thompson, brothers John Gruwell, AC Gruwell, sisters Eflyn Powell, Leah Ogzewalla and Wynona Gruwell.
Services will be held on Saturday May 14th 2016. Doors open at 9:30 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints, Lordsburg, NM.
Following services, Helen will be Laid to rest next to Bill at Mountain View Cemetery in Lordsburg NM.