Obituary of Helen May Butts Matulich

***** Please come and help the family enjoy a "Celebration of Life" for Helen on October 14th, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at The Oaks Room at Bolado Park, 9000 Airline Highway, Tres Pinos, CA 95075 *****

 

Helen May Butts Matulich was born October 8th, 1929 in San Francisco, to Helen Leonard Butts and Edward Holbrook Butts. She grew up on the Pine Rock Ranch. She was a descendent of the Moran, Leonard, Holbrook, and Butts families. Helen attended Jefferson School, Hollister Grammar, San Benito High School, and San Benito Jr College. She then went off to Stanford, where she graduated with a degree in History in 1952, followed by a Master's in Education, also from Stanford, the following year. She taught at El Sausal School in Salinas, R.O. Hardin School and San Benito High School in Hollister. Many knew her as teacher, counselor, Dean of Women, and Vice-Principal.

Helen belonged to many organizations; Retired Teacher's, San Benito County Farm Bureau, San Benito Cattlewomen, San Benito County Fair Board, the Kinship Center, California Wool Growers, California Women for Agriculture, San Benito County Fair Heritage Foundation, American Agri-Women, San Benito County Saddle Horse Show Association, Native Daughters of the Golden West and the Stanford Buck/Cardinal Club to name a few. She held many offices and board positions in these organizations and traveled to many states for meetings.

Traveling was one of her passions. She traveled throughout Europe after College. Later, family trips were long road trips exploring the Western United States. She enjoyed cruises to Alaska, Russia and the Panama Canal. Helen took each of her four grandchildren on trips for their 8th grade graduation. Her favorite destination however, was Hawaii, having been to all of the islands. Other passions included reading, skiing, Sudoku and crossword puzzles. Helen's greatest passion however, was the family ranch that was started in 1892 by her grandfather William Butts Sr. She grew up there and returned after retiring from the High School.

She was a San Francisco Giants fan and a loyal Stanford football and baseball fan. She attended many home games and several away games as well. She's attended Rose Bowls, Sun Bowls and Fiesta Bowls. GO Cardinal!

Helen is preceded in death by her father Edward, sister Mary Ann, Mother Helen and husband Nick. She is also survived by daughters Mary (George) Hansen and Elizabeth (Richard) Hunter; grandchildren: Justine (Caleb) Scherer, Todd Hansen, Jake Hunter and Morgan Hansen; nephew Ed (Frankie) Langdon, grand-niece Brittany (Andy) Siebert and grand-nephew Shayne Langdon. And of course, her loyal companion, Abby the Corgi.

The family would especially like to thank her caregivers from Plumeria Home Health Care; Tia, Klarissa, Klara, Vonnetta and Stacy. Helen lived a full life with many friends and family. She will be greatly missed. She was known as Sis, H May, Helen, Sarge, Chief, Mrs. Matulich, Mom, Grandma and Mamer.

Services will be private followed by a Celebration of Life at a later date.

Memorial contributions are preferred to San Benito County Cattlewomen's Scholarship Fund; the Stanford Buck Cardinal Club; Gabilan Chapter Kinship Center; San Benito County Heritage Foundation; or the charity of your choice c/o Grunnagle Ament Nelson Funeral Home.