Helen Katherine Derezes

Dear Derezes Family,

I wish to convey my deepest sympathies to your family. Your

Mother was always so happy and friendly when I attended

any “Derezes Family” get togethers. (I am a friend of Tina’s)

I enjoyed listening to her stories and her joy of her beloved family. You were inspiring the way you took such good

care of your Mother.

I’d like to leave you with this poem…….

“YOU ARE MY GARDEN”

As you gather on this day, think of me in heavely bliss….

home again with the Lord our God…

For I was there to bear you my fruit..and to love you.

Lift your hearts into the starts of the night. I will be smiling

down and listening to your laughter. I will never leave your

heart.

Comfort one another and be at peace, until we meet again,

in the beautiful garden of eternity.

With deepest sympathy, Theresa Jordan

Helen was a deeply religious woman who lived her life for her family. She was a devoted wife, and a loving and unwavering supporter of her children and grandchildren. The love for her family was evident to all who knew her. Her marriage to George was a living example of how a loving and successful marriage should be built. Just watching them walk hand-in-hand, or sneak a kiss, would bring a smile to your face. She never stopped missing him.

She was a homemaker in the best sense of the word. She made her home a warm and inviting place for all to enjoy. She helped George at his work by spending nearly every morning helping him get ready to open for business. On weekends, it was a family affair, with everyone going down to clean, and then enjoying a great meal of pizza.

Helen was a fun loving, active person for most of her life. She had a million dollar smile that always made you feel that she was happy to see you. She enjoyed swimming, sports, traveling, and even hunting with her family. There was no end to the joy she would find in spending time with her family. Picnics at the hydroplanes, trips to the zoo, watching the kids play sports, camping, and Sunday dinners – all centered around her family.

Watching sports was a favorite pastime of Helen’s. She never missed watching a Husky or Seahawk game. Every weekend during the winter you would find her at one of her children’s houses watching a game and sharing a pizza.

When the grandchildren came along, Helen’s love grew exponentially. She could not spend enough time with them, or be prouder of them. They became the loves of her life.

Her children and grandchildren could be found at all hours of any day, stopping by to visit both Helen and George at Alki. They would go across the street to play on the beach and in the water, only to come back and track sand all over their carpets. Later in life, one of Helen’s and George’s greatest joys was to have the whole family come down to the family cabin for the Derezes Water Olympics, as well as boating activities. After George died, Helen continued to go down to the cabin to spend time with her family.

While she was raising her children, she made sure they all went to Church and Sunday school every week. She did visitations to Greeks who were hospitalized, as part of her Philoptochos mission. The hospitals would call her whenever a Greek was admitted and they needed help with translating.

She was a staunch supporter of the Church, and Philoptochos. She never missed an opportunity to help a person who was in need. At her last home, even when she could barely get around, she made a point at every meal to help her disabled neighbor eat so that she would get the nutrition she needed.

Throughout her life, Helen maintained her core values. She took great pride in the achievements of her children and grandchildren, assisting them through college, and supporting them with her near-endless prayers (by name!). She always told her family to “stick up for each other,” and believed that family was the most important bond we had.

As she got older she slowed down. When you came to visit you could hear her coming to the door, calling “Just a minute, just a minute.” She got used to saying that. She would say “Just a minute” as she got in the car, walked up to your house, or any time she felt she was inconveniencing anyone. The one thing you can be sure of, is that when she was Called by the Lord, she did NOT say “Just a minute.” She went with Him gratefully, looking forward to being reunited with her family.