Obituary of Helen G. Reid

Hollister – Helen Reid, 97, died Wednesday, January 18, 2017. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Harlow J. Reid, by a brother, Tony Freitas and a sister, Pauline Dias. Helen leaves three daughters: Beverly Fisher and husband Jerry Fisher of Hollister, Barbara Dittbrenner of Hollister, and Bonnie Mathews and husband Craig Matthews of Long Beach. Five grandchildren: George Tombe IV, Shannon Imbronone, Sara Blomquist, Patrick Matthews and Mikayla Mathews. Six great grandchildren: Kaitlynn Tombe, Krista Tombe, Nashelle Tombe, LexAnne Imbronone, Summer Blomquist and Cassidy Blomquist. Helen was born at home in San Juan Bautista. She grew up on Freitas Road where her parents had Orchards of prunes, apples and pears. When she was 17, she was the Queen of the Portuguese Celebration for the local SDES. She graduated from San Benito High School. She met Harlow at a dance in Watsonville and it was love at first sight; a year later they ran away to Reno on New Year’s Eve and were married. They lived in Oakland during the war and later moved to San Leandro until 1965 when they moved to San Juan Bautista to take over the ranch on Freitas Road. They lived in San Juan Bautista for a while and then moved to Hollister. When they retired, Harlow and Helen traveled across country many times to visit family in Minnesota and New York. They visited many states and came home with just as many crazy stories of their travels. Helen loved to make potato salad for family gatherings as well as brownies and apple pie. She was always ready to help anyone in need. She loved to embroidery and did that until she was 95. The last couple of years she was in North Mabie Convalescent Center for dementia where she was wonderfully taken care of by the staff. Even there she was sweet and caring. Helen went to Christ Fellowship Church and Living Hope Bible Church with her daughters. She loved the Lord and had a sweet spirit. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Christ Fellowship Church, 2066 San Benito Street, Hollister, on Wednesday, January 25, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow at the Church hall. In leiu of flowers, dontations are preferred to Mabie Northside, Patient Activity Fund c/o the mortuary.