Obituary of Florence Gary Helm

Memorial Service Wednesday, Apr 25, 2018 1:00 PM Florence Gary Helm September 19, 1935 - April 20, 2018 Florence was born on September 19, 1935 in Freeport, Texas and moved to Houston at a very early age. She was predeceased by her parents, Bess Barnett Gray and Albert Sidney Gray, Sister Bonnie Gray Miller and her husband Nelson D. Miller of San Antonio. Florence attended Stephen F. Austin High School in Houston and was a Graduate of The Rice Institute, Class of 1957. In addition to her academic excellence, Florence was active in the Golden Anniversary Scholarship Committee and served as Vice President of The Sarah Lane Literacy Society. Post graduation Florence’s professional life began at Gulf Oil Corporation and continued with HISD as a history teacher at High School. After her career as a homemaker she later worked for Nahas-Bracken Advertising Agency, served as the Membership Director for Houston Yacht Club and concluded her professional accomplishments as a successful realtor in the Clear Lake Area office of Prudential Gary Greene Better Homes and Gardens. Florence retired in 2011 and spent her time traveling and enjoying her many friends and five grandchildren. Florence had a special love for sailing and yachting activities in the Galveston Bay area. She has been a Member of the Houston Yacht Club since 1962 and in 1977 founded and organized The Ragnot Camp which has been recognized as one of the premier youth sailing programs in the USA, is a mainstay of HYC and still thrives today. In recognition of her contributions to the Camp and HYC, Florence was recognized at the 25th anniversary of the Camp and in 1977 received Houston Yacht Club’s coveted Yachtsman of the Year award. In 1983, Florence was also one of the co-founders of the Winward Bound Ladies Sailing Camp. The Winward Bound Program at HYC is also in still in existence today and is recognized as one of the premier adult ladies’ sailing programs in the country. Florence is survived by her son, Stephen C. Helm, Sr., his children, Carsan, Keaton and Stephen, Jr. of Houston; and her daughter Denise Helm Robinson and Denise’s husband, Tom and their sons, James and Tyler of Sunnyvale, California; her nieces, Diana Geis and her family of San Antonio, and Nelda Galloway, of Surfside, Texas and her family; and Florence’s very special friend, Leo Holder. Moreover, Florence leaves many special friends who she valued so much in her life. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday April 25, 2018 at 1:00pm in the sanctuary at St Luke’s United Methodist Church located at 3471 Westheimer Rd, Houston TX with a reception to follow in the Hines Baker Room. In place of flowers, please donate to the Rice University Class of 1957 Scholarship Fund, The Houston Yacht Club Memorial Fund or The St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Building Fund.