Helen B Totin
Marriages
Albert Totin - July 19, 1958
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 8A Obituary - November 17, 2017
Helen B. Totin November 22, 1922 - November 11, 2017
Helen was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1922. She was the youngest of four sisters. Her sisters, Mary, Ann, and Susie, were her favorite companions growing up. Susie, who was her favorite, remained a part of Helen’s family until her passing. Helen’s other favorite companions growing up were her pets. Prince was her German Shepherd, and Duchess was her long-hair cat. They share many of Helen’s childhood photos. As a veteran, Helen served in the Army Nurse Corp. She enjoyed her time in the service and wore her uniform proudly. Civilian life saw Helen working at the Continental Can Company as an industrial nurse. There she looked after the factory workers that became injured, and became fast friends with many of the employees. Most of them attended her wedding while she was employed there. She married the love of her life, Albert Totin, a Navy man in the submarine corp. On July 19, 1958, Helen married her sweetheart at St. Alexander’s Russian Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh. Soon afterwards the couple made their way north to Alaska, and settled in Fairbanks after enjoying the drive of the scenic Alaska Highway through Canada. Albert and Helen quickly settled into the Alaskan way of life, and soon had an addition to the family in April of 1961, their son, David. With the larger family, Albert decided to build a log home on the family property. The new home served the family well for years. The family garden was one of Helen’s favorite things. Every year she would be out planting, weeding, and harvesting the bounty produced by the long days of the Alaskan summer. What wasn’t given away to neighbors, made it into Helen’s kitchen, where it was sure to please all those lucky enough to be at the table. Helen was a den mother for her Cub Scout son, and was also very active in the Lions Club for many years in Fairbanks. Her hobbies included ceramics, oil painting, and all types of crafting. Kitting was also one of Helen’s passions, and all of her friends had booties for the new babies and afghans on the couch for warming winter nights, compliments of Helen’s knitting skills. One of Helen’s proudest achievements was in being a fundamental influence in the creation of a Russian Orthodox Church in Fairbanks, including the building of the church, arranging for the initial opening, and bringing a priest to the church. She remained a devoted Russian Orthodox throughout her life. Helen was a wonderful person, a beloved wife, and treasured mother. The joy that she brought to others will never be measurable. Her kindness and willingness to help others was without bounds. We will all miss her, and remember her with kindness and love. God bless you, Helen Totin, and your memory will never be forgotten. Visitation will take place on Sunday, November 19, at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary, 2515 Patterson Road, Grand Junction, CO 81505, from 5 - 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will take place on Monday, November 20, at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 3585 North 12th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81506, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at the Veteran Municipal Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.
