Obituary of Helen Walker Parker

8/17/30 – 2/14/20 Helen W. Parker of Pound Ridge, NY and Vail, CO passed away peacefully at her home on February 14 at the age of 89. Helen’s early life was spent in various locales. After her birth in Toccoa, Georgia on August 17, 1930, the family followed her father’s work to Florida and New York City. When she was a teenager, they finally settled for good in Bellport, Long Island. Helen truly adored life on the Great South Bay, especially the sailing, summers at Point of Woods, bicycle riding and the escapades of the family’s beloved Great Danes Lady and Gent. After attending St. Mary’s School in Peekskill, Helen attended Barnard College, and then went on to work at various jobs including at the Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Hewlitt School. Helen met the love of her life, Foxhall, in 1950.They married in 1952, and, after they had found their dream house in Pound Ridge, started their family. Patricia was born in 1960, and Mary followed in 1962. From then on, it was all about family for Helen; nothing mattered more to her than taking care of her husband and children. Ski trips to Vail led to a second home there, while summers sailing on their beloved “Obsession”, and travels further afield gave Helen the chance to explore the world with her family, giving her cherished memories for the rest of her life. Once her daughters were grown, Helen had the opportunity to spread her wings. She had always loved gardening, but she found her passion in flower arranging, first as a member and then later as President of the Bedford Garden Club. She became not only an award- winning national competitor but also a judge and officer for the Garden Club of America. Helen also blossomed as a writer for the Gardener’s Gazette, winning a Connecticut Press Club award for her work. After Foxy’s retirement, Helen stepped back to devote herself once more to her husband and their life together. More travels followed, with friends and with family, from Iceland to Patagonia and other bucket list places in between. As their lives began to wind down, they spent more time in the home that they had made together and loved so much. Helen was preceded in death by Foxhall Parker, her sister Patricia Walker Bijou, and brother Ernest Moore Walker Jr.; she is survived by daughter Patricia Mueller (Mark), of Vail, CO; daughter Mary Morgan Parker (Ron Davidson), of EagleVail, CO; and granddaughter Morgan Raye Mueller, of Breckenridge, CO. Helen was buried in a private service at St. Matthew’s Church, Bedford, NY. A memorial service is planned for the Spring. Memorial contributions will be gratefully accepted by: The Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps PO BOX 41, South Salem NY 10590 email: treasurer@LewisboroVAC.org Phone: (914) 763-3574