Helen Louise Bennett passed away Saturday in Fresno, California. She moved there in 2008 from Wenatchee, Washington, to be closer to family, including her nieces, nephew and his wife, and all her great nieces. The Hawkins family is blessed to have had her with us and to have shared and enjoyed the family connection. Born in Ordway, Colorado to Mildred (Shive) and Holland Bennett, Helen grew up on the family farm. She eventually taught school in the small prairie school house there and actually had her younger brother, Bob Hawkins, as a second grade student. Helen moved to Wenatchee Washington in 1943 to work for the Wenatchee School District as an elementary teacher at Whitman school. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Wenatchee and affiliated with many other service organizations: Presbyterian Women, Business and Professional Women, Delta Kappa Gamma and the Retired Teacher's Association. She was President of the Business and Professional Women in 1960-61. She also enjoyed attending St. Luke's Methodist Church while residing in St. Louis, Missouri in the 1990's, helping care for her elderly Aunt, Stella Whittaker. Helen had a wonderful sense of humor and a contagious laugh! She loved the Wenatchee area and would often tell her California family about how beautiful things were and all about the apples trees and cherry blossoms! She thoroughly enjoyed and spoke often of her 4th story view of beautiful Saddle Rock mountain. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her aunt Stella, her brothers, Bob and Adrian Hawkins, and her sister, Pat Pierce. She is survived by her brother Bob's wife Charlien, and her Nephew and Nieces and their families in California, including six grand-nieces! She is loved and will be deeply missed by all. Despite her long-time west coast residency, Helen desired a burial at the Bennett family plot at Clear Creek Cemetery, in Greene County - Springfield, Missouri. A graveside service will be held there on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at 2:00 pm and all friends are welcome. Remembrance and other information can be obtained from the Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home in Springfield.