The red-haired cowgirl had a good run.
Helen C. Dawson, 97, attained a gentle peace, endured some final pain and shed her earthly burdens Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. She was born in Miles City May 10, 1919 to Samuel Cooley, one of the last Open Range Cowboys, and Mary Dayhoff Cooley, pioneer woman homesteader. Her parents ranched north of Miles City until her father was stricken with a debilitating illness that ended his days in the saddle. Her mother cared for Sam for over 20 years, as well as working as city and county treasurer. Helen spent summers at the family ranch run by her aunt and uncle working cattle on horseback and helping on the threshing crew. She attended Washington School and Custer County High School, playing on the women’s basketball team, graduating in 1937.
Helen went to work for the U.S. Treasury Dept. in Washington D.C. in 1940, transferring to Helena the next year. When World War Two broke out, Helen’s brother, Glenn, anticipating service, sold off the ranch livestock, but was rated as medically unfit, so Helen began her quest to serve, and entered the newly created Navy WAVES in early 1943. She received advanced training at Indiana University, and served at Alameda Naval Air Station, TADGEN Shoemaker, CA, and Naval Air Station at Barber’s Point, Hawaii, where she replenished onboard supplies for Naval fighters and other aircraft returning from combat missions in the Pacific. Off-hours were spent exploring Hawaii, wearing her cowboy boots.
She mustered out in November, 1945, and returned to Helena to work for Treasury. She drove her 1937 Ford sedan in pursuit of a young returning Army veteran, Edward B. Dawson of Boulder. They were married on her birthday in Miles City in 1946 and settled in Helena.
After several years as mother, homemaker, gardener and landscaper, Helen worked a session at the Legislature and then for the Veterans Administration Hospital at Fort Harrison, where she retired from her position as medical secretary in 1979. She was active in the state and local Women’s Auxiliary of the VFW for many years, and was honored in 2009 as Montana’s Outstanding Hospital Volunteer by the organization. In 2011, the Department of Veteran Affairs honored Helen for 50 years volunteering at the hospital. The VA conferred the Dedicated Service Award for her 7,500 hours of volunteer service to veterans. She also volunteered at St. Paul’s Methodist Church and at the Lewis & Clark County Fair.
Helen donated over 20 gallons of blood to the Red Cross, as well as volunteering at blood drives for many years. In 2004, she was honored as a Red Cross Hero.
The Senior Corps RSVP recognized her for giving over 10,000 hours of service to her community.
Helen was always on the go, loved to travel, and drove her car until she was 95. She served 32 years as an election judge, usually at Kessler School. Helen had a deep sense of civic duty and was indignant when witnessing injustice. She was an avid outdoors woman who made strenuous mountain hikes at advanced age, including two ascents of the Sleeping Giant’s nose. She volunteered for and supported the Montana Environmental Information Center in its mission to preserve the natural qualities of her beloved state.
For several years, she worked tirelessly to raise funds and gather information on Montana women veterans for inclusion in the national Women In Military Service Memorial in Washington D.C. She and her three offspring traveled to D.C. in October 1997 for the dedication of the new monument and to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow women veterans. She received the 2011 John Moran Award of the Montana Military Museum for her efforts in assembling the history and stories of 6,500 Montana women military veterans. “Your state has the largest percentage of its women registered of any state in the nation, and that’s because of the work of Helen Dawson,” said Wilma Vaught, Retired Air Force Brigadier General and head of the national project.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Glenn and husband Edward. She is survived by daughters Mary Noel (Jim) and Tina Dawson of Helena and Patrick (Liz McCall) of Billings; grandchildren Jake Helfert (Rene) of Springville UT and Aaron Helfert (Kathie) of East Helena, Julia and Madeline Dawson of Billings; nieces Glenda Chaison (John) of Las Vegas, NV, Marcie Eathorne (Gary) of Bellevue, WA, and nephew Richard Cooley of Helena, eight great grand children, and three great great grand children.
Helen’s family wishes to thank the staff of The Legacy Assisted Living for the loving care provided during her final months, and the staff of Hospice of St. Peter’s for easing her journey home.
Memorial service officiated by Rev. Marianne Niesen will be held Friday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Helena, lunch reception to follow. Interment with military honors will be at the Montana Veterans Cemetery at Fort Harrison.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Helen’s name to the Montana Military Museum, PO Box 125, Fort Harrison MT 59636. Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Helen.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 23, 2016
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Friday September 23, 2016
Fellowship Hall of the church
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
2:30 p.m.
Friday September 23, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Rd.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
11:00 a.m.
Friday September 23, 2016
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
After the service
Friday September 23, 2016
Fellowship Hall of the church
Helena, Montana 59601
Burial with Military Honors
2:30 p.m.
Friday September 23, 2016
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Heroes Rd.
Fort Harrison, Montana 59636
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Shari Hunter Brownlee says
On behalf of the Helena Red Cross, we extend our most sincere condolences to Helen’s family. Helena was a part of our Red Cross family for decades and we loved her very much. She will be missed by all our staff, as well as the hundreds of donors she met and assisted over the years. She volunteered for many organizations in Helena, and I think she probably holds the record for most years served in a volunteer capacity! It was a pleasure and an honor to know Helen and to work with her. We’ll all miss her very, very much.
Shari Hunter Brownlee
Candace Sweet says
Knowing Helen both at the Red Cross and the Community Home Care Association was my privilege. She brought knowledge, wisdom and laughs. She was a pioneer and a role model, her story was of bravery and service.
Barb Cole says
Helen was a wonderful lady, I was privileged to know her thru the VFW Auxiliary. She done so much for the vets and was a vet herself, one of the women who opened the doors to so many including my daughter. My prayers and thoughts go out to her family.
Sheri Steinmetz says
My thoughts and prayers go out to Helen’s family. It was a pleasure to get to know Helen, over the years and I think about her often. She was a dedicated Credit Union Member. I always admired how much she gave back to her community and I know she will be missed.
Leona Zaharko says
Tina, I am so sorry for your great loss. Helen was a great, beautiful, wonderful lady and I am so glad I have known her all these years. I so loved when she would come in the store – always all smiles, cheer and hugs. I will dearly miss her.
SK2 Mary Brydich says
Helen was an amazing woman as shown by her extraordinary long, active life. I remember Helen well from my membership with the East Helena VFW Auxiliary and her follow up when I became a charter member of the Women’s Military Memorial in Washington, DC. A remarkable life well lived. I am so sorry for your loss.
Mary Runkel says
Helen was a trooper, she was always there to lend a hand in all civic duties. She was inspirational as she gave rides to the other “senior citizens” that needed to attend meetings but were no longer able to drive. I always knew when I needed to contact Helen just a few years ago to “call before 7 or after 7” otherwise she was out volunteering somewhere to make our community a good place. Rest in peace Helen, you gave us your all.
Anne Hedges says
How could you not love Helen? Her commitment to her community and justice has always been an inspiration to me. Together we spent countless hours slapping labels on newsletters for the Montana Environmental Information Center. She was our most reliable, dedicated volunteer. Everyone at MEIC’s feels lucky to have known her. We are sorry for your loss but feel incredibly fortunate to have crossed path with such a committed and entertaining woman.
Loreto McCullough says
Helen was a great women so kind & thoughtful & willing to help others when they were in need. My thought and Prayers are with you all . You were all so kind & I loved working with you all over the years at the Credit Union. My thought and Prayers are with you all.
Love, Loreto “PWEE” McCullough
Laura an John King says
I met Helen in the Vfw Auxilary What a wonderful lady so energized. She gave so much to the community an benefits for veterans.
She will be greatly missed for her compassion an always a smile for you. Our prayers are with you as you during this difficult time and days ahead.
Laura an John King
Mark and Tina Maxwell says
So sorry to hear about Helen, I have fond memories of her at Grandma Mary’s house on Woodbury in Miles C.ity. She was a great lady who always had time for us as kids.
Kim and J.J. Lamb says
Mary, so sorry to hear about your mom. What an incredible woman she was. Our thoughts are with you and your family.
Doug Stewart says
To All of Helen’s Family and Friends,
Helen and my Aunt Irene would always stop and see me when going through Missoula and I would see Helen when I was in Helena. She would call me from time to time and I would make a trip to Helena to visit her. She was a great lady.