Helen Irene Gray, 75

Helen Irene Gray “went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” on March 6, 2016, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center. We will miss her lovely smile that would light up any room and her many prayers that made a difference.

Helen was born Oct. 23, 1940, to Harvey and Irene Gray in Amarillo, Texas. Helen’s family moved to California, where she continued her education — graduating from North Hollywood High School in Los Angeles in 1959 and then from Valley Beauty School in 1960. Those were the days when beauticians mixed all their own products — nothing was sold as completed packages like today. Helen loved her career as a cosmetologist — working 50 years in that profession — starting in Burbank, California, and ending in Kalispell. She was an excellent and willing resource for many beauty questions from her friends.

Helen moved to Montana in 1988 and worked at Bigfork Beauty Shop from 1989 to 2002, when she officially retired; then she operated the Beauty Shop at Greenwood Village Assisted Living until her health forced full retirement in 2004.

Helen was very dedicated to serving her Lord and Savior any way she could. She was involved for years in ministries at the Flathead County Jail and Montana State Prison, several local Christian churches, and was an avid prayer warrior. She was a faithful member of several women’s Bible studies and craft groups. Helen was very talented and artistic — evidenced by her beautiful soprano voice and gorgeous one-of-a-kind jewelry she created. Helen was a fiercely independent and capable lady who knew how to do handyman jobs and care for her yard, in part because she never married. Her hobbies were cooking, sewing, and all kinds of crafts — she said she prayed for people while she was creating her treasures.

Helen is survived by her close friends, Joyce “Peach” Graeff and husband, Gary; Rhonda Gorton and husband, Tom; Connie Gabriel; Pastor Ron and Carol Pierce; Marilyn and Loyal “Pinky” Murer; and Debbie and Frank Pancoast, plus countless other friends.

Helen’s loved ones are being served by the wonderful staff at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home in Kalispell, where her memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. today, March 11.

Helen requested that in lieu of flowers, any donations be given in her memory to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, (828)262-1980, www.samaritanspurse.org.