Helen H. Worrall

March 27, 1919 – May 16, 2012

Helen Hughes Worrall, 93, died on May 16 in Portland, Ore.

She was born on the homestead in Goshen County to longtime pioneer family Frank Hughes and Blanche (Smith) Hughes.

A 1936 graduate of Yoder High School, she attended a music school in Chicago, Scottsbluff (Neb.) Junior College and the University of Wyoming. After earning her bachelor’s degree in English and education, she taught in a two-room school (Hertzler) south of Yoder and later at Yoder town elementary.

She married Kenneth Worrall on Christmas Day 1941 in Hawk Springs – the very first marriage performed at that little church.

They raised their three sons, Will (Janis), Kim (Tami) and Kirk (KC) in Laramie and Casper, where Helen also taught at Natrona County High School.

Ken’s transfer with Pacific Power and Light landed them in Portland. Helen became active in volunteering at the art museum, symphony, galleries and Portland State University.

She discovered sailing and bought her first boat at age 70 and sold her third at 80, because she felt she was getting “a bit elderly” to sail single-handed. She knew the currents and crannies of the Columbia River and often had along family and friends.

Helen was a painter, private pilot, loving mother and friend, sailor and world traveler.

She is survived by sister, Phyllis Black, of Cheyenne, and Alice Taylor, of Newport, Wash.; nieces; nephews; grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, John Hughes; husband; and special friend, Jerome Levine.

A celebration of her well-lived life will be held at the West Cafe in Portland on July 22.



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