Helen Elizabeth Archibald Johnson, 93, the youngest daughter of Curtis and Viola Prescott Archibald, was a third generation Californian born in San Juan Bautista on the Prescott Ranch. At an early age, her family moved to Martinez, CA, where she attended school before graduating from Alhambra High School in Martinez in 1933. Helen graduated from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in San Francisco in 1939, and worked 2 ½ years in the obstetrics dept. of Alta Bates Hospital, in Berkeley, CA. She also served with the U.S. Navy Nurse Corp., enlisting in 1941 and serving during World War II, before returning to San Benito County. Her military service included Pearl Harbor, Hawaii shortly after the bombing.
Helen was happily married for 37 years, predeceasing her husband William (Bill) Johnson, as well as her two sisters, Annabelle Archibald Bride and Dorothy Archibald Savage. She had two sons, William (Bill) and Martin (Marty). The family lived on an apricot and walnut orchard on Cienega Rd. until they sold it in 1974, and moved into Hollister.
Helen was a member of the Navy Nurse Corps Association, Hazel Hawkins Hospital Auxiliary, and a founding member of San Benito Hospice. She worked 42 years in nursing, and was employed by Hazel Hawkins Hospital for 25 years, including Dir. of Nursing at Hazel Hawkins Convalescent Hospital, known as Southside.
Helen loved gardening, playing bridge, her little dog Tootsie, music, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends, as well as helping others. She was a loving friend, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Everyone who knew Helen loved her dearly and she is missed.
Helen is survived by her sons Bill and Martin, and granddaughters Melinda (Mindy) Johnson Sotelo, Elizabeth (Liz) Johnson Barberio, Kathryn (Katie) Elaine Johnson, Tara Ann O’Reilly, and Lydia Mae Johnson, as well as 6 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and other family members.
A service in celebration of Helen’s life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2009 at 1:00 P.M., at Grunnagle-Ament-Nelson Funeral Home, Hollister. In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with Helen’s wishes, donations should be made to Central Coast VNA & Hospice, 341 Tres Pinos Rd., Ste 103-A, Hollister, CA 95023.
