My deepest and most sincere condolences to Helen's family. I will miss my fellow Sagehen and friend and will never forget the times we had.
I first met Helen in 2004 at the GRCA Specialty held in Lost Hills. I was new to the field trail circuit and learning what the game was all about. At the time she and her husband Don were running field trials with Flyway's October Pardner MH (Opie) and Flyway's American Flyer MH (Keeper). They also had a black Labrador, Flyway's Fast Eddie Grimsby they were running in Trials. No matter where the trial was, Helen was always there watching Don run the dogs, always rooting them on and diligently keeping track of the dogs work. There was never a trial that Helen was attending were I couldn't ask her how the dogs were doing and receive a top notch report on the work.
Helen was an active member of Sagehen's Retriever Club when I joined in 2006. Helen was an extremely active member in the club and was the club's treasurer for many years, until 2014, when her illness did not allow her to continue. She was diligent and precise in her Treasurer responsibilities. She used to tell me, "I love my job!" when she referred to her Treasurer position. She always kept a keen eye on the clubs financial matters and reported to the board and members with informative and timely reports. When I served my term as President of the Club, I could always count on Helen to steer me in the right direction. She was my "right hand man", "my club mom" and my friend.
Not only was Helen Treasurer of the club, the club could always count on her to help at the events. Weather it be marshaling, sending thank you notes, preparing gift baskets, donations for the dinners, no matter what we could always count on Helen. You could see her love and undying support to the sport and was at the trials to watch Don run their dogs.
Helen and Don had a few litters of puppies and what we all might call a successful breeding program.
Everyone knows Don and Helen are Flyway Retrievers. We all knew because that is what it said on the back of her chair. No matter what, her chair always found it's way back home. She followed their puppies success' just as closely as she did the dogs she and Don owned. A very proud breeder.
Helen was proud of her family and loved to brag about all of their successes. She would just glow when she told stories about the kids, grandkids and Don. I have spent many hours on the telephone with her listening to her tell me stories. We always had a few laughs and she always had a way of making your day a little bit better.
I too last saw Helen and Don at the field trial this past April. I will cherish that memory and am so very thankful we had the chance to "chat and catch up" what is now for the last time.
I miss you my friend......... and I forgive you for going Black!
Tammy
