Helen Georges

Mom passed away peacefully at home July 4, 2016. She was 92. Raised in Santa Barbara, she was one of the few remaining unacknowledged elders of the Chumash Nation. Among her relatives were the Lopez, Romero, Robles, Dominguez, Felis, Cota families. We would go shoppoing downtown and everyone we met were either related to us or she knew them on a first name basis. This was just on her Mother’s side of the family.

On her father’s side, relatives of note were English pioneer Michael White (Whites Landing on Catalina Island), “Don” Francisco Alvarado, retired sergeant of the Santa Barbara Royal Presidio and Juan Alvarado, revolutionary governor of California from 1836-1839. Her grandmother was full blooded Shoshone Indian.

She met and married Harold V. Georges, when they worked at the Goleta Lemon packing plant. He was a handsome Marine from Minnesota. They enjoyed over 70 years together until Dad died last March. They lost 2 sons too soon, Jerry, KIA in Vietnam and “Tinker”, age 21 from complications of cerebral palsy. In the second half of her life she volunteered every day at the Food Bank warehouse in Goleta, til well into her 80’s, receiving numerous awards.

To remember her is to remember a kind, loving human being, who put everyone else first. Her warm welcoming smile made people happy. She was the heart and soul of the family. We say good bye to our mom, Gramma, Great gramma, Great Great Gramma, “Bill”.

Til we meet again, Ben, Dot, Ken and Itoo.