Helen McCorkle

“The Duchess of Bostwick Park”

Dec. 5, 1931 — March 9, 2008

MONTROSE — Helen Marie McCorkle “took her trip” on March 9, 2008 at Montrose Memorial Hospital after a long battle.

Her life began in Pueblo, Colo. on Dec. 5, 1931, as the daughter of Floyd and Wava Rasmussen of Boone, Colo. Helen graduated from Boone High School, two years after she met her childhood sweetheart and life companion of 60 years, Tom McCorkle.

Tom and Helen were married June 23, 1951 in Raton, N.M. Two children, Jim and Kim, were born while Tom and Helen were stationed in Florida with the Air Force. In 1956, they moved back to Boone. In 1965, a job opportunity at Western Area Power brought them to Montrose. In 1965, a lot was bought on Bostwick Park and much of Helen’s time was spent helping build a home.

Helen’s greatest joys were her home, husband, children and grandchildren. Her granddaughters considered her the “Christmas Queen” with all the special holiday planning she did. She was an amazing cook. Helen loved frequenting the Montrose Farmer’s Market every week and enjoyed seeing friends she had made there. After it became harder for her to get around, she became an avid fan of watching women’s softball games at McNeil fields while sitting in the car.

Helen is survived by her husband, Tom of Montrose; Jim (Melody) McCorkle of Hayden, Idaho, Shawn Gregg of Couer d’Alene, Idaho, Josh Gregg of Kalama, Wash.; Kim (Paul), Kari and Kassie Harbath of Harrisville, Utah.

A big heartfelt thank you goes out to Dr. Manak, a very special doctor in Montrose who has helped Tom and her  for 19 years. Also a thank you to the very best kind of friends, Carl and Betty Rupp, and Debby Stoddard, all of Montrose.

A Celebration of Life open house, in honor of Helen, will be held at the Montrose Elks Lodge on Saturday, June 21, from 3 to 6 p.m. The Harbath family band will be playing Helen’s favorite songs, and there will be an open mic set up if anyone would like to share their music.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Laradon Hall, a children’s charity, c/o Montrose Elks Lodge, 801 S. Hillcrest Dr., Montrose, CO 81401.