Mrs. Helen Mary Tryon

On May 1st, our family lost its "Graceful Lady" Helen Mary Tryon at the age of 93 – wife, mother, grandmother, friend and confidant. Helen was born on December 21, 1922 in Worcester, MA, the second of two children, and two years younger than her brother Theodore "Teddy" Yonkers. Helen's mother, Helen McNally Yonkers (from County Sligo, Ireland) passed away when Helen was only 2 years old. Helen's father put both children with a French Canadian family in Worcester to live, while their father worked. Helen stayed with this family until she was a teenager, then moved back in with her father prior to her marriage. Her father, Theodore Yanacopulos an "old country" Greek (Yanacopulos was changed to Yonkers at Ellis Island), wanted to pick a husband for her. Helen defied his wish and moved into a convent to stay so she could marry her true love, a young Marine named Clifford "Cliff" Tryon, of whom her father disapproved. Despite the opposition, Helen and Cliff were married on January 4, 1943 and would remain married for 62 years until Cliff passed away at the age of 86. Because Helen never felt part of a family growing up, she believed having a large family would bring love and happiness. Thus the five Tryon children: Donna, Glenn, Cathy, Caroline, and Brian were born. While Cliff was serving in the Pacific during World War II and subsequent years as a career Marine, Helen maintained the household including living in a Quonset hut on Camp Lejeune to eventually living off-base from Camp Pendleton in Vista, CA. Helen had many interests throughout life but especially loved gardening, Irish music, cooking, her cats and dogs, her close friends particularly life-long dear friend Boleslawa "Bole" Heitmann. Over the years, Helen's beloved niece, Tescia (Joy) Yonkers, was a connection to Helen's father's remaining family on the east coast. Helen always looked forward to Joy's calls and flowers. Helen was a close friend of several military families, sharing a common bond of the years of military enlistment. Many a workday and holiday, the house was filled with music, the aroma of cooking meals, and the scent of nearby flowers. Holidays were especially important to Mom, and having family and friends together was a cherished time for her. Mom, Grandma, Great Grandma, Helen relished these roles and the collective family was enriched by her many cards, letters, care packages, and calls. After Cliff's passing, and as Helen became frail, it was the help of family members and friends that allowed Helen to live at home until her death. Our family all have unique, cherished memories of our Mom, our Grandma, our Great Grandma – these we hold dear, and we keep Helen close to our hearts as she did for us. Gone but not forgotten. Helen's spirit, her Irish wit, her passions, her wisdom, lives on. Helen and Cliff, Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa. Together they began the family neither had, they lived to see it grow, nourish it, and embed themselves in the fabric of our lives. We are fortunate and forever grateful. Helen was buried with her late husband Cliff at Riverside National Cemetery, in peace for eternity. Helen was preceded in death by her husband Clifford Glenn Tryon, who died on July 5, 2005. Helen is survived by her five children: Donna Tryon Coggins, Grants Pass, OR; Glenn Tryon, Wellesley, MA; Cathy Tinetti, Santa Rosa, CA; Caroline Freeman, Vista, CA; Brian Tryon, Eagle Point, OR. Grandchildren include: Tobe Herz, Anna Pletcher, Paul Tryon, Hope Bennett, Payton and Jena Freeman, Christopher and Aleksandr Tryon. Great Grandchildren include: Sam, Lia, and Zoe Pletcher; Matt, Jake, and Eric Tryon; Micah, Mateo, and Felix Bennett. Memorial contributions can be made in honor of Helen's life through the American Cancer Society Memorial and Honor Giving Program. A Celebration of her Life is pending and more information will be available soon.

Mrs. Helen Mary Tryon

December 21, 1922 - May 1, 2016