1925
Helen
2014
Helen E Lesh
June 22, 1925 — March 18, 2014
A resident of Roseburg, Oregon for over 62 years, who devoted her life to helping others, died March 18, 2014. Helen Eileen Matthews was born in Portland, Oregon on June 22, 1925. She was the oldest daughter of Lawrence and Harriett Matthews. Helen was raised in Portland. She married Ralph Lesh, who preceded her in death in 2007, on April 7, 1947.
After high school, Helen started her career in the field of volunteerism. If it needed to be done, Helen was there. It could be organizing the American Red Cross Blood Drive or organizing a bowling tournament locally, statewide, or even nationally while bowling three nights a week in a local league. She would get it done. One of her favorite groups was composed of the many people and players whose lives she touched with American Legion Baseball. The Doc Stewart team and the fans were like one of her children. Cheering them on, watching them grow up with some going on to be professional players, and remembering them and other's local folks in the Legion Ball feature program each year were important to her.
When baseball season was over for another year, Helen was not finished. Her efforts at the Friendly Kitchen were year round. For over three decades she oversaw 550 meals A DAY DELIVERED TO SHUT INS and eaten in the dining room at the building named in her honor on Post Street here in Roseburg. Many others have been inspired by Helen to make deliveries and listen to the people so happy to receive a fine meal and a few words of encouragement. Have you heard about annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners? Well, Helen was the one behind the scenes recruiting food donations from businesses in community, rounding up volunteers to help around the kitchen, serve in the dining room or even deliver meals when someone could not make it in at the last minute. She got it done.
Her motto to staying young was GET INVOLVED!! VOLUNTEER!! She lived it every day right up to the last one. WE ALL APPRECIATE WHAT SHE DID. SHE WILL BE MISSED.
Surviving Helen are her daughter Jan and husband John Rustad of Olympia, Washington; son Bill and Jan Lesh of Tucson, Arizona; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and also her sister Ruth and husband Bob Ostrom, Portland, Oregon.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to any of Helen's favorite charities or one of your own choosing. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Helen's second home: Dr. Stewart's Legion Field at 2:00 p.m. In Helen's honor, you are encouraged to wear something from your favorite sports team, cap, jersey, sweatshirt. It's casual Saturday. Come and remember Helen with her friends and family. See you all at the ballpark.
After high school, Helen started her career in the field of volunteerism. If it needed to be done, Helen was there. It could be organizing the American Red Cross Blood Drive or organizing a bowling tournament locally, statewide, or even nationally while bowling three nights a week in a local league. She would get it done. One of her favorite groups was composed of the many people and players whose lives she touched with American Legion Baseball. The Doc Stewart team and the fans were like one of her children. Cheering them on, watching them grow up with some going on to be professional players, and remembering them and other's local folks in the Legion Ball feature program each year were important to her.
When baseball season was over for another year, Helen was not finished. Her efforts at the Friendly Kitchen were year round. For over three decades she oversaw 550 meals A DAY DELIVERED TO SHUT INS and eaten in the dining room at the building named in her honor on Post Street here in Roseburg. Many others have been inspired by Helen to make deliveries and listen to the people so happy to receive a fine meal and a few words of encouragement. Have you heard about annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners? Well, Helen was the one behind the scenes recruiting food donations from businesses in community, rounding up volunteers to help around the kitchen, serve in the dining room or even deliver meals when someone could not make it in at the last minute. She got it done.
Her motto to staying young was GET INVOLVED!! VOLUNTEER!! She lived it every day right up to the last one. WE ALL APPRECIATE WHAT SHE DID. SHE WILL BE MISSED.
Surviving Helen are her daughter Jan and husband John Rustad of Olympia, Washington; son Bill and Jan Lesh of Tucson, Arizona; four grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and also her sister Ruth and husband Bob Ostrom, Portland, Oregon.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to any of Helen's favorite charities or one of your own choosing. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Helen's second home: Dr. Stewart's Legion Field at 2:00 p.m. In Helen's honor, you are encouraged to wear something from your favorite sports team, cap, jersey, sweatshirt. It's casual Saturday. Come and remember Helen with her friends and family. See you all at the ballpark.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen E Lesh, please visit our flower store.
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