Helen Louise Dunbar peacefully passed away on September 17, 2024, at home in Helena with her loving husband of 70 years and her daughters at her side. Helen was born August 8, 1932, in Burns, Ore. to James and Ina McDonnell.
She grew up in Burns, graduating as Valedictorian of the 1950 class of Burns Union High School. She went to Eastern Oregon College of Education, earning a certificate in Secretarial Sciences. Helen met Bill Dunbar on her 20th birthday and they were married two years later on June 5, 1954 at Holy Family Church in Burns.
Their first home was a small house trailer which moved with them throughout the country while Bill completed his training as a civil engineer. Daughters Maureen, Susan and Mary were born in Portland, Ore. The family relocated to Helena, Mont.
in 1961 and embraced the Montana births of Jim and Patty, completing this branch of the Dunbar clan. She was a loving wife, amazing mother and loving grandmother. Helen retired from the Office of Public Instruction (OPI).
She created beautiful quilts, handmade dolls, paintings, cross stitch and embroidery, leaving a wonderful legacy with each creation. She treasured her grandchildren, making cookies and teaching them to play cards. Even as her body started to fail her, she remained a loving and engaging soul.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Cecilia Carroll and Mary Bishop; her son, Jim; and great-grandson, Anthony. She is survived by her loving husband of 70 years; brother, Joe Collins; brother-in-law, Ken Dunbar; daughters, Maureen (Larry) Cole, Susan (Ardine) Bjerke, Mary (Brad) Rogers, Patty (Russ) Rowsey; daughter-in-law, Jackie Dunbar; and numerous nieces and a nephew. She is the proud grandmother of 12 grandchildren and 14 greatgrands (soon to be 15, with "Itty Bitty" Rowsey set to join the family soon).
Special thanks to our father, Bill Dunbar, who showed us every day what the promise to love "in sickness and in health" really means by caring for our mother these past years. Helen's family would like to thank her compassionate hospice caregivers. With their help, she remained at home surrounded by the family she loved.
A celebration of life will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Helena on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 11 a.m.
, followed by a luncheon in the social hall and graveside gathering at Resurrection Cemetery..
