Helen Buckingham Hawn

Published 12:17 am Saturday, July 4, 2015

June 24, 1924 – June 18, 2015

Helen Buckingham Hawn, 90, of Bend, Oregon, died on Thursday, June 18, 2015, of complications related to a stroke. Born Mary Helen Buckingham on June 24, 1924, in Washington, Pennsylvania, she was the daughter of Samuel and Olive (Orndoff) Buckinghham. She was married to the late Bruce Henry Hawn on August 6, 1949, in Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania. Helen resided in Petersburg, Pennsylvania for many years before moving to Bend, Oregon.

She is survived by two children, Martha Rhine of Bend, Oregon, and Brenda Azer of San Diego California, her son-in-laws: Bruce Rhine and Richard Azer, and five grandchildren: Esme, Charlie, Andy, and David Rhine, and Zach Azer.

Helen was the oldest in a family of eight siblings. Surviving are four brothers: Earl, Ralph, and John Buckingham of Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania, and Ronald Buckingham of Eighty Four, Pennsylvania. Her sister, Betty Wightman, and two brothers, Paul and James Buckingham, preceded her in death.

Helen was reared in Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania, graduating from Ellsworth High School in 1942. She received a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics at Mansfield University in 1946, followed by a certificate in Elementary Education from The Pennsylvania State University in 1966. Helen worked as a teacher for 31 years at Juniata Valley Schools in Alexandria, Pennsylvania before retiring in 1986. She taught a variety of levels and subjects, most notably home economics and first grade education, while being a homemaker.

Helen was active at the Crever Memorial United Methodist Church in Petersburg, Pennsylvania from 1946 until 1990, where she was a member of the choir, taught Sunday school, and served on the administrative board. She later attended Petersburg Bethel Presbyterian Church where she was an Elder and Sunday school teacher.

Helen relocated to Bend, Oregon in 2004 to be closer to her family. She was active at the First Presbyterian Church in Bend, Oregon, and attended countless sporting events cheering for her grandchildren at area schools. Her first priority was her family, to which she was unselfishly devoted. She spent many pleasant years as a resident at Touchmark at Mt. Bachelor Village Retirement Community where she was well cared for by staff and family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Touchmark on July 7th from 2-4 PM. Helen will be laid to rest at the Petersburg Memorial Cemetery (Petersburg, PA) on July 24, 2015.

Memorial contributions, in remembrance of Helen B. Hawn may be made to any of the following: Petersburg Bethel Presbyterian Church, 5435 State Rte 4009, Petersburg, PA 16669; First Presbyterian Church, 230 NE 9th St, Bend, OR 97701; or Partners In Care, 2075 NE Wyatt Court, Bend, OR 97701.