Helen Packer Hamilton

It is not everyone who gets to pass away in the manner they wish, but in our mom’s well-organized files, we found this verse entitled "Final Wish." "At age 85, I’m old enough to die without mourning me. So just let me go to sleep peacefully, Without tubes and drugs, I want to be set free - And not be a burden to my family." The age was a blank line to fill in, but her wish was fulfilled in that she died peacefully at her home in Oak Hill, West Virginia on 12-12-12 with her beloved youngest child Jay, her only son, and her dear friend and caregiver to both our mom and dad, Glennys Davis, by her side. Helen Packer Hamilton was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward Albert Packer and Beda Carlson Packer, and her sisters, Edith, Frances, and Ollie. Her nieces Karen and Shelley, daughters of her sister Fran, and two great-nieces survive along with her sister-in-law, Josephine Hamilton Houck, and Jo's children.   Helen was born in Miles City, Montana on January 3rd, 1927. Her father ran a general merchandise store in Ashland, Montana and her working life began when she helped as a clerk in the store. She was raised in the Lutheran Church. She is a graduate of Custer County High School in Miles City and of the University of Montana in Missoula where she was a member of Alpha Phi Sorority. In 1948 she attended the University of Minnesota to take an accelerated course to be a school librarian. That intense course led to librarian jobs in Portland, Oregon and San Francisco. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Pat R. Hamilton, whom she married in 1950. They met when he was a FBI Special Agent and attorney stationed in Montana. They have four children, Patricia L. Hamilton (David Higgins), Debra L. Hamilton, Judith Hamilton Brooks (Mike Brooks), and James Edward Hamilton. She is also survived by her six grandchildren, Derek, Wes and Kyle Thomas (Brittany Wier), Jade and Courtney Hamilton, and Bailey Brooks. She became a great-grammy this year with the birth of K.J. Thomas, whose father Kyle says that K.J. will have the toughest guardian angel ever to watch over him. Helen taught English and Spanish and was the librarian at Sidney High School, Montana, from 1948-1950. She was a librarian at the main library in San Francisco from 1950-51. Moving to Oak Hill, WV in 1954, she taught English and Spanish at Collins High School in Oak Hill, WV from 1954 through 1964. She is a former member of the Oak Hill Civic League and Fayette Study Club. She was an elected member of the WV Democratic Executive Committee from 1968 to 1990. She also served as an elected delegate to Democratic National Conventions from 1972 through 1988. Helen was selected to be the WV Hostess at the Inauguration of President Jimmy Carter. Always progressive in her thinking, she was appointed as a charter member of the Advisory Committee for the WV Women’s Commission and was a member of the Rules Committee for the 1972 National Democratic Convention. In her tradition of giving, our mom has donated her body to the WV Human Gift Registry for medical research and teaching purposes. Those who wish to make a gift in her memory may provide it in the deceased’s name to: The Alzheimer’s Association, WV Chapter, 1601 Second Avenue, Charleston, WV 25387, to help fight the disease that has claimed her husband for the last decade, or the Fayette County Public Library, 611 Main Street West, Oak Hill, WV 25901 or Hospice of Southern WV, PO Box 1472, Beckley, WV 25802. In accordance with our mom’s wishes, a memorial service will be held at a later date at the Hamilton family plot in Fayetteville, WV. The following was in our mom’s file and we share it with you. It is typed by her and she may be the author as none is given: Memories I’d like the memory of me To be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of Smiles when day is done. I’d like to leave an echo Whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave when day is done. Online condolences may be sent at www.tyreefuneralhome.com Information submitted by Tyree Funeral Home, Oak Hill, WV