Helen Power

Helen C. Power, 96, a long time resident of Great Falls, died of natural causes at her home on Thursday, July 5. A vigil service is at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2800 Central Ave, Sunday, July 29, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. The funeral liturgy is also at Holy Family Chapel on Monday, June 30, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Schnider Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Helen, the second of six children was born on December 12, 1915 to John and Helen (Hanley) Fitzpatrick of Long Island, New York. She spent her early years in New York and graduated from Bayridge High School with honors. She then went on to receive her Bachelor's degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Helen moved backed to New York following graduation and taught Nursing at Columbia University for several years. In the early forties, Helen met her future husband, the late Dr. Thomas C. Power when they were set up on a blind date. He was completing his residency at Kings County Hospital in New York at the time. They were married November 24, 1943 in Fort Hamilton, New York and celebrated 55 years of marriage. During WWII, Helen and her husband moved to Tallahassee, Florida where Dr. Power served as an enlisted member of the Army Medical Corps before they moved to Conrad, Montana and eventually to Great Falls in 1952 to raise their family. Helen was a community leader of great integrity and served as a chairman of numerous non profit boards. She was president of the College of Great Falls Guild and sat on the College of Great Falls Finance Committee for many years. She was extremely active with the Ursuline Academy, orchestrating numerous social events. She was also involved in the Cascade County Medical Auxiliary. Helen's strong passions inspired everything she did, and she loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed attending MSU football games with her husband and son and was an avid supporter of the Athletic Scholarship Association at Montana State University. In her later years, Helen loved to travel abroad with her husband and daughter Dana. Everyone will always remember her stories of travels to Ireland, Switzerland, the Orient, or wherever the wind blew her free spirit. As Helen grew older, she spent countless hours with her daughter Gail and her granddaughters Helen Catherine and Ann Ryan, and her very special grandson Kiley. They could always count on Nana for the best stories and for her world famous spaghetti and chocolate chip cookies. She was eager to lend a helping hand and to give her unforgettable, witty advice. Nana never missed the opportunity to be with them or to place a smile on their faces. Helen was beloved by all who knew her. Her quick wit and undying sense of humor could always be counted on to brighten the day. Her vibrant personality and relentless strength never ceased to inspire those around her. Helen's strength of heart will forever be missed.Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Josie and her sister Francesca. They went above and beyond the call of duty in caring for our mother and grandmother and we will be indebted to them forever. Helen is survived by her daughter, Gail Miller of Great Falls; a son Casey Power of Bozeman; sister Audrey Malouche of Columbia, SC; and grandchildren Kiley Miller, Helen Catherine Miller, and Ann Ryan Miller of Great Falls, and step-granddaughter Alex Power of Bozeman, along with numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, the late Dr. Thomas C. Power; daughter Dana Power; and two sisters and two brothers.In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to be made to Great Falls Central Catholic High School, 2800 18th Ave S, Great Falls, MT 59405.