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Helen T. Lowell
Helen, T. Lowell, 106, mother,
teacher, historian, author and civic leader died at her home
near Parma June 7, 2012 following a brief illness. Helen,
daughter of David Russell and Leila Ash Turner, was born
July 20,1905 in Boise, Idaho.
She
graduated from Boise High School with honors in 1922.
Helen enrolled in the College of Idaho that same year,
majoring in language arts; particularly, Latin, Spanish and
English. She graduated Cum Laude in 1926. Following
graduation, Helen taught in Franklin and Caldwell High
School until her marriage to Blake J. Lowell, April 1929.
She took hiatus from the classroom until 1953 when she
agreed to teach in the Adrian, Oregon school system for one
year. Fifteen years later she retired from public school
teaching.
During her absence from the
classroom and in addition to being a mother and homemaker,
Helen became deeply involved with the YWCA at regional and
national levels and with the Sterry Memorial Presbyterian
Church, USA as well as numerous civic organizations. She was
a charter member of chapter BD PEO, member of Kingman Colony
Book Club, ANK Garden Club and Daughters of the Nile.
In the 1960's, Helen and Lucille Peterson began researching
for an illustrated history of the Lower Boise Valley
beginning with The Hudson Bay Company fur trading post
established at the confluence of the Boise and Snake Rivers
near Parma. This later became Oregon Trail's Fort Boise.
Their research resulted in the first hard bound publication
of Our First Hundred Years (Caxton Printers, Inc.) coincided
with America's Bi-Centennial celebration in 1976. A second
edition was released in 1999. All proceeds from the book
went to the Fort Boise Historical Society and the building
of the Fort Boise replica.
Helen's
awards included the College of Idaho's Distinguished Alumni
Award in 1987 for her support and contributions to community
and nation: The Bruce Mitchell Community Service award
(2007): The American Association for State and Local
Histories National award of Merit(2009) : The Idaho State
Historical Society's recognition of significant
contributions to preservation of Idaho History(2009).
Helen was predeceased by her parents David and Leila Turner:
brother R. Lee Turner; and husband Blake J. Lowell(1983).
Helen is survived by a son David H. (Margaret) Lowell,
Wichita, KS, daughter Sara J. Lowell, Bandon, OR, three
grandchildren James D. (Susan) and their daughter Allison,
Eustis FL, Catherine-Ann (Gerod) Bonhoff and their son
Louis, Hampton VA and Ian C.(Beth) and their sons, Blake,
Ethan, Wichita KS, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Helen's life will take place at the Sterry
Memorial Presbyterian Church, Roswell, Idaho at 11:00, on
Saturday June 23, 2012 following private inurnment at the
Roswell cemetery. Memorial contributions to organizations of
donor's choice would be appreciated. Condolences and
memories may be shared with the family at
www.dakanfuneralchapel.com
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