Helen Lee Goates, 74, younger daughter of President Harold B. Lee, succumbed to ovarian cancer on April 19, 2000, closing the final chapter in her life history with valiant faithfulness and courage in the face of the gradual ravages of her disease.
She was one of God's angels on Earth, much loved and admired by her family and countless dear friends. Her life's creed was to please and make everyone around her happy.She is survived by her husband, Lesley Brent Goates, and their children: David and Patsy (Hewlett), Harold (Hal) and Janis (Gentry), Drew and Krissy (Nelson), Jane and Laurence Reiser, Jonathan and Dawn (Matheson), and Tim and Amy (McMaster), 37 grandchildren and five great-grand-children.
As family members, we express our gratitude to Jane and Laurence whose loving personal attentiveness to our mother prolonged her life and enriched our family memories.
She was born on November 25, 1925, the second daughter of president and Fern Lucinda Tanner Lee. All the members of her small immediate family preceded her in death: Her mother in 1962, her older sister Maurine (Ernest J.) Wilkins in 1965, then her illustrious father in 1973. She is now enjoying a long-awaited reunion with them, after fulfilling her promise to her mother to bind president Lee's two families in a lifetime of sweet memories. In the end she reminded us that her beloved family memories mattered most to her and she had simply forgotten the painful ones.
Helen grew up in Salt Lake City, where she graduated from South High School and attended the University of Utah, affiliating with Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Her sorority pledge class remained treasured friends as they met monthly for over 50 years.
Her courtship with her husband was elongated by World War II and was conducted mainly by letters. During a leave from military service Brent and Helen were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 24, 1946, by her father, president Lee.
Cherished were her roles as a loving daughter, wife and mother. She learned early from her Daddy what it was to live in the public "fishbowl," but she nevertheless epitomized gospel living while acknowledging her dependence on her Savior for strength through the difficulties she faced. She lived a life to be emulated as a model for people of all ages. Especially will her demonstration during her last days be remembered of how to die well prepared.
She loved and sustained her father throughout his life, especially in his last years in his prominent position in the Church. She was forever grateful to have learned her vast homemaking and hospitality skills from her saintly mother.
A constant and able ally to her husband, Brent, for 54 years in his professional life and his Church callings, she provided the lessons in warmth that rounded out his leadership. She accompanied him in presiding over the California Arcadia Mission from 1975-78. Scores of their missionaries join us in mourning her passing.
Unwavering were her priorities to her home and family, but she found time to give unselfishly of herself to many within the circle of her influence. An avid reader her whole life and an accomplished (she would say "adequate") violinist, she instilled in her children and grandchildren a love of the scriptures, good books and music. A favorite tradition of the grandchildren was birthday outings spent sleeping over and going shopping with her and Grandpa Brent. As a young mother she let her children take turns for "nights up with mother" spent reading aloud while Brent was off doing his Church work.
She taught many classes and held numerous positions in the Church, including two terms of service as the Relief Society president in the Federal Heights Ward. She also served two terms as member of the General Board of the Relief Society, 1974-75, and 1979-84, separated by her missionary service with her husband. Later in life she was surprised by a call to serve a three-year term as the Emigration Stake Young Women's president.
She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, serving as a camp captain. She was also a member of Dinnerset, two social gospel study groups, the Classics Club, Alpha Chi Sorority alumni, and a past president of the Sigma Chi (Beta Epsilon) Mother's Club.
Funeral services will be held at noon, Saturday, April 22, 2000, at the Federal Heights Ward, 1300 East Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City. Friends may visit the family at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, the night before from 6-8 p.m. and at the ward from 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to Families First Educational Foundation or The Harold B. Lee Charitable Foundation. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
She was one of God's angels on Earth, much loved and admired by her family and countless dear friends. Her life's creed was to please and make everyone around her happy.She is survived by her husband, Lesley Brent Goates, and their children: David and Patsy (Hewlett), Harold (Hal) and Janis (Gentry), Drew and Krissy (Nelson), Jane and Laurence Reiser, Jonathan and Dawn (Matheson), and Tim and Amy (McMaster), 37 grandchildren and five great-grand-children.
As family members, we express our gratitude to Jane and Laurence whose loving personal attentiveness to our mother prolonged her life and enriched our family memories.
She was born on November 25, 1925, the second daughter of president and Fern Lucinda Tanner Lee. All the members of her small immediate family preceded her in death: Her mother in 1962, her older sister Maurine (Ernest J.) Wilkins in 1965, then her illustrious father in 1973. She is now enjoying a long-awaited reunion with them, after fulfilling her promise to her mother to bind president Lee's two families in a lifetime of sweet memories. In the end she reminded us that her beloved family memories mattered most to her and she had simply forgotten the painful ones.
Helen grew up in Salt Lake City, where she graduated from South High School and attended the University of Utah, affiliating with Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Her sorority pledge class remained treasured friends as they met monthly for over 50 years.
Her courtship with her husband was elongated by World War II and was conducted mainly by letters. During a leave from military service Brent and Helen were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 24, 1946, by her father, president Lee.
Cherished were her roles as a loving daughter, wife and mother. She learned early from her Daddy what it was to live in the public "fishbowl," but she nevertheless epitomized gospel living while acknowledging her dependence on her Savior for strength through the difficulties she faced. She lived a life to be emulated as a model for people of all ages. Especially will her demonstration during her last days be remembered of how to die well prepared.
She loved and sustained her father throughout his life, especially in his last years in his prominent position in the Church. She was forever grateful to have learned her vast homemaking and hospitality skills from her saintly mother.
A constant and able ally to her husband, Brent, for 54 years in his professional life and his Church callings, she provided the lessons in warmth that rounded out his leadership. She accompanied him in presiding over the California Arcadia Mission from 1975-78. Scores of their missionaries join us in mourning her passing.
Unwavering were her priorities to her home and family, but she found time to give unselfishly of herself to many within the circle of her influence. An avid reader her whole life and an accomplished (she would say "adequate") violinist, she instilled in her children and grandchildren a love of the scriptures, good books and music. A favorite tradition of the grandchildren was birthday outings spent sleeping over and going shopping with her and Grandpa Brent. As a young mother she let her children take turns for "nights up with mother" spent reading aloud while Brent was off doing his Church work.
She taught many classes and held numerous positions in the Church, including two terms of service as the Relief Society president in the Federal Heights Ward. She also served two terms as member of the General Board of the Relief Society, 1974-75, and 1979-84, separated by her missionary service with her husband. Later in life she was surprised by a call to serve a three-year term as the Emigration Stake Young Women's president.
She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, serving as a camp captain. She was also a member of Dinnerset, two social gospel study groups, the Classics Club, Alpha Chi Sorority alumni, and a past president of the Sigma Chi (Beta Epsilon) Mother's Club.
Funeral services will be held at noon, Saturday, April 22, 2000, at the Federal Heights Ward, 1300 East Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City. Friends may visit the family at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, the night before from 6-8 p.m. and at the ward from 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to Families First Educational Foundation or The Harold B. Lee Charitable Foundation. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Helen Lee Goates, 74, younger daughter of President Harold B. Lee, succumbed to ovarian cancer on April 19, 2000, closing the final chapter in her life history with valiant faithfulness and courage in the face of the gradual ravages of her disease.
She was one of God's angels on Earth, much loved and admired by her family and countless dear friends. Her life's creed was to please and make everyone around her happy.She is survived by her husband, Lesley Brent Goates, and their children: David and Patsy (Hewlett), Harold (Hal) and Janis (Gentry), Drew and Krissy (Nelson), Jane and Laurence Reiser, Jonathan and Dawn (Matheson), and Tim and Amy (McMaster), 37 grandchildren and five great-grand-children.
As family members, we express our gratitude to Jane and Laurence whose loving personal attentiveness to our mother prolonged her life and enriched our family memories.
She was born on November 25, 1925, the second daughter of president and Fern Lucinda Tanner Lee. All the members of her small immediate family preceded her in death: Her mother in 1962, her older sister Maurine (Ernest J.) Wilkins in 1965, then her illustrious father in 1973. She is now enjoying a long-awaited reunion with them, after fulfilling her promise to her mother to bind president Lee's two families in a lifetime of sweet memories. In the end she reminded us that her beloved family memories mattered most to her and she had simply forgotten the painful ones.
Helen grew up in Salt Lake City, where she graduated from South High School and attended the University of Utah, affiliating with Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Her sorority pledge class remained treasured friends as they met monthly for over 50 years.
Her courtship with her husband was elongated by World War II and was conducted mainly by letters. During a leave from military service Brent and Helen were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 24, 1946, by her father, president Lee.
Cherished were her roles as a loving daughter, wife and mother. She learned early from her Daddy what it was to live in the public "fishbowl," but she nevertheless epitomized gospel living while acknowledging her dependence on her Savior for strength through the difficulties she faced. She lived a life to be emulated as a model for people of all ages. Especially will her demonstration during her last days be remembered of how to die well prepared.
She loved and sustained her father throughout his life, especially in his last years in his prominent position in the Church. She was forever grateful to have learned her vast homemaking and hospitality skills from her saintly mother.
A constant and able ally to her husband, Brent, for 54 years in his professional life and his Church callings, she provided the lessons in warmth that rounded out his leadership. She accompanied him in presiding over the California Arcadia Mission from 1975-78. Scores of their missionaries join us in mourning her passing.
Unwavering were her priorities to her home and family, but she found time to give unselfishly of herself to many within the circle of her influence. An avid reader her whole life and an accomplished (she would say "adequate") violinist, she instilled in her children and grandchildren a love of the scriptures, good books and music. A favorite tradition of the grandchildren was birthday outings spent sleeping over and going shopping with her and Grandpa Brent. As a young mother she let her children take turns for "nights up with mother" spent reading aloud while Brent was off doing his Church work.
She taught many classes and held numerous positions in the Church, including two terms of service as the Relief Society president in the Federal Heights Ward. She also served two terms as member of the General Board of the Relief Society, 1974-75, and 1979-84, separated by her missionary service with her husband. Later in life she was surprised by a call to serve a three-year term as the Emigration Stake Young Women's president.
She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, serving as a camp captain. She was also a member of Dinnerset, two social gospel study groups, the Classics Club, Alpha Chi Sorority alumni, and a past president of the Sigma Chi (Beta Epsilon) Mother's Club.
Funeral services will be held at noon, Saturday, April 22, 2000, at the Federal Heights Ward, 1300 East Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City. Friends may visit the family at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, the night before from 6-8 p.m. and at the ward from 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to Families First Educational Foundation or The Harold B. Lee Charitable Foundation. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
She was one of God's angels on Earth, much loved and admired by her family and countless dear friends. Her life's creed was to please and make everyone around her happy.She is survived by her husband, Lesley Brent Goates, and their children: David and Patsy (Hewlett), Harold (Hal) and Janis (Gentry), Drew and Krissy (Nelson), Jane and Laurence Reiser, Jonathan and Dawn (Matheson), and Tim and Amy (McMaster), 37 grandchildren and five great-grand-children.
As family members, we express our gratitude to Jane and Laurence whose loving personal attentiveness to our mother prolonged her life and enriched our family memories.
She was born on November 25, 1925, the second daughter of president and Fern Lucinda Tanner Lee. All the members of her small immediate family preceded her in death: Her mother in 1962, her older sister Maurine (Ernest J.) Wilkins in 1965, then her illustrious father in 1973. She is now enjoying a long-awaited reunion with them, after fulfilling her promise to her mother to bind president Lee's two families in a lifetime of sweet memories. In the end she reminded us that her beloved family memories mattered most to her and she had simply forgotten the painful ones.
Helen grew up in Salt Lake City, where she graduated from South High School and attended the University of Utah, affiliating with Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. Her sorority pledge class remained treasured friends as they met monthly for over 50 years.
Her courtship with her husband was elongated by World War II and was conducted mainly by letters. During a leave from military service Brent and Helen were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on June 24, 1946, by her father, president Lee.
Cherished were her roles as a loving daughter, wife and mother. She learned early from her Daddy what it was to live in the public "fishbowl," but she nevertheless epitomized gospel living while acknowledging her dependence on her Savior for strength through the difficulties she faced. She lived a life to be emulated as a model for people of all ages. Especially will her demonstration during her last days be remembered of how to die well prepared.
She loved and sustained her father throughout his life, especially in his last years in his prominent position in the Church. She was forever grateful to have learned her vast homemaking and hospitality skills from her saintly mother.
A constant and able ally to her husband, Brent, for 54 years in his professional life and his Church callings, she provided the lessons in warmth that rounded out his leadership. She accompanied him in presiding over the California Arcadia Mission from 1975-78. Scores of their missionaries join us in mourning her passing.
Unwavering were her priorities to her home and family, but she found time to give unselfishly of herself to many within the circle of her influence. An avid reader her whole life and an accomplished (she would say "adequate") violinist, she instilled in her children and grandchildren a love of the scriptures, good books and music. A favorite tradition of the grandchildren was birthday outings spent sleeping over and going shopping with her and Grandpa Brent. As a young mother she let her children take turns for "nights up with mother" spent reading aloud while Brent was off doing his Church work.
She taught many classes and held numerous positions in the Church, including two terms of service as the Relief Society president in the Federal Heights Ward. She also served two terms as member of the General Board of the Relief Society, 1974-75, and 1979-84, separated by her missionary service with her husband. Later in life she was surprised by a call to serve a three-year term as the Emigration Stake Young Women's president.
She was a member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, serving as a camp captain. She was also a member of Dinnerset, two social gospel study groups, the Classics Club, Alpha Chi Sorority alumni, and a past president of the Sigma Chi (Beta Epsilon) Mother's Club.
Funeral services will be held at noon, Saturday, April 22, 2000, at the Federal Heights Ward, 1300 East Fairfax Road, Salt Lake City. Friends may visit the family at Larkin Mortuary, 260 East South Temple, the night before from 6-8 p.m. and at the ward from 10:45-11:45 a.m.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to Families First Educational Foundation or The Harold B. Lee Charitable Foundation. Interment at Salt Lake City Cemetery.
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