Judy Lynn Helsel

Judy, age 65, is survived by her devoted husband of 47 years, Vincent Charles Helsel; son Olian Helsel and wife Rhonda of Brighton; their girls Katie 13, Emily 10, Megan 8, and Elizabeth 6; daughter Shelly Pawlowski and husband Todd, also of Brighton; their children Brock 13, Brice 10, and Jamie 8. Judy was the only child of Elwood Sheldon and Edna (Roy) Sheldon. Close relationships with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins developed the family values that were the cornerstone of her life. The rich experiences of her childhood played out in the towns of rural Kansas including Great Bend, Pratt, Russell, Wilsey, and Council Grove. She met Vince when he stole her shoe at the drive-in theater during junior high. They dated in high school and were married just after she graduated. Through this union, she gained the brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews that she had always desired. They moved to Pittsburg, KS where Judy worked as a cosmetologist while Vince completed his education. They moved to Denver in 1962. Judy and Vince both taught for DPS until their retirement in 1992. Judy substituted for years while her children were young so that she could be present at the many events and activities that she had them involved with. When they were in high school, she began teaching at Stedman Elementary, where she completed her career. She developed many dear friendships throughout her career and she took a personal interest in the lives of the children in her charge. Judy adopted Vince's friends and their spouses as her own companions. Through her children's playmates, she developed many lifelong relationships as well. All of these couples considered each other family and supported one another through raising children, graduations, marriages, divorces, and deaths. Personally, Judy enjoyed plants and gardening; her creative outlets included drawing, painting, and 'hobby night;' she survived playing soccer and took up bowling, all to spend time socially with these people that she so thoroughly enjoyed. Judy truly appreciated the many friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Judy was the person her friends and family could depend upon to attack any task. She was dependable, pragmatic, and had a calm exterior. From Girl/Boy Scouts to swim team to permanent/haircut specialist; from classroom mom to neighborhood costume extraordinaire to clownology makeup artist; from family potlucks to road trips to pet doctor/funeral arranger; she was constantly creating experiences for her children and enriching the lives of others. She was patient and compassionate beyond traditional human capacities. Occasionally to our chagrin, Judy was an amateur psychiatrist and philosopher. A favorite familial quote, 'We all do the best that we can with what we have at the moment,' guided her life and allowed her to appreciate the circumstances and limitations of others. Her grandchildren were truly the light of her life. In the past few years, she had devoted herself to planning and attending family parties, creating traditions, and making memories with her grandchildren. Judy made 'dates' with each of her seven grandchildren regularly where she would take them individually to the Natural History Museum, the Zoo, the Butterfly Pavilion, the Molly Brown House, or to the theater. Together, they played board games, croquet, painted, sewed, read, or complete timed math fact sheets. They will forever remember the time and effort she spent loving them. Judy committed herself to raising happy, responsible, competent, independent, freethinking children and grandchildren who would positively impact the world. Her greatest legacy is that she taught them how to love unconditionally and how to be loved. Please share your memories with the family by visiting the online guest book. Donations may be made to Denver Teachers Club, 990 Glencoe Street, Denver, CO 80220-4468 or www.denverteachersclub.org