Helen Craddock

Helen Craddock, 85, of Denver passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 11, 2020 at North Star Rehabilitation and Care Community. She was born on June 30, 1935 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the daughter of Ralph Payne Monell and Martha Carolene Holman Monell.

Helen grew up in Colorado Springs, CO and Honolulu, HI and graduated from Canon City High School (1953) in Colorado. She received a Bachelor of Education at UNC in Greeley and got her Master’s in Education at Denver University. She was a Physical Education Instructor at Arvada Junior High (1958-1967) and Otero Jr. College (1967-1987) in La Junta, Colorado where she was promoted to the head of the department in (1974) and retired June 1990. In retirement, Helen moved to Carlsbad, California where she provided in-home care for her aging parents. In 2015, she moved back to Colorado to be closer to her Colorado friends and family.

She enjoyed Hula dancing, spending time at the beach, playing piano, waterskiing, snow skiing, swimming, tennis, travel, and spending time with family. Helen was active in the community as member of the Episcopal Church, P.E.O., several bridge clubs. She taught swim lessons, acted in theatrical productions such as The Sound of Music, and sang in both the church choir and the Sweet Adelines a cappella choir.

She will be remembered for her love for the Lord, her enthusiasm at her boys’ swim meets and wrestling matches, and her fun, friendly, and engaging personality.

She is survived by her sons, James Craddock and his wife Amy (Highlands Ranch, CO) and Mike Craddock and his wife Michelle (Colorado Springs, CO); eight grandchildren: Joshua, Weston, Corey, Melissa, Connor, Moriah, Archer, and Forrest; and five great grandchildren: Winston, Asher, Elizabeth, Mari and June.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her two older brothers, William Monell and Robert Monell.

A Celebration of Helen’s Life will be held at a time and place to be determined.

Memorial donations may be made to Colorado Right to Life at PO Box 1145, Wheat Ridge, CO 80034 or ColoradoRTL.org/donate