Helen Wilson, a native Californian who has resided in Carson City for the past three years, entered the Kingdom of Heaven on July 30, 2008. Born Helen DaMant in the San Joaquin Valley near Fresno, Calif. June 6, 1916, she spent her early youth there before moving with her family to Menlo Park, Calif. during her adolescence. She was a graduate of Sequoia High School in Palo Alto, where she received an award for being the outstanding female athlete of her graduating class; and attended San Jose State College, obtaining a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics.
During the summers of her college years, she worked as a hotel housekeeper in Yosemite National Park, where she met her future husband Alan Wilson. They were married September 14, 1941 and remained together until Alan's death in 1998. In 1949 they built a home in San Leandro, Calif. where as a homemaker she raised a family of three sons. She occupied the same home until 2001. Helen was a devoted mother and wife who was always active in church activities, local service clubs and activities involving her children and family. Among her friends and relatives, she was known for her kind spirit, giving nature, compassion and her sense of humor.
In retirement, she enjoyed travel and seeing new places. She and her husband were active members of the "Good Sam" travel club, and she made many other trips to distant locations as well. She remained active in her local Bunko group as well as her church until moving to Carson City in 2005.
She is survived by three sons and two daughters-in-law, Donald Wilson and wife Peggy of Carson City; Ronald Wilson of North San Juan, Calif.; and Douglas Wilson and wife Terri of Hayward, Calif. She also has eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren. In addition to her children, her younger brother, James DaMant of Orick, Calif, survives Helen.
She was preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers.
Helen also has many loving nieces and nephews who will share in the grief of her loss.
A memorial service will be 3:30 p.m., Thursday at Autumn Funerals and Cremations. The family has requested that donations in her memory be sent to St. Mary's Hospice of Reno, Nevada.