Helen Arleen (Peters) Mashaw

Helen Arleen (Peters) Mashaw of South Guadalupe died Monday, September 24, 2012 at her son, Ray's home in Carlsbad. Visitation will be 1-5 p.m., Thursday, September 27, 2012 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Wake services and rosary will be held on Thursday, September 27 at 7:00 p.m. at St. Edward's Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for Friday September 28, 2:00 p.m. at St. Edward's Catholic Church with Father Cyprian officiating. Helen's ten sons will be the pallbearers. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Helen graced this world on March 9, 1926 in Pendleton, Oregon born to Victor and Emma Grace (Barker) Peters. She met James George Mashaw during World War II in Portland, Oregon while he was serving in the Navy. They married in Carlsbad, New Mexico on November 3, 1945 during one of his leaves and then moved back to Portland until finally settling in Carlsbad in 1947. Her life was filled with family as she bore 14 children and was totally involved in all their activities. She was an extremely talented woman and used these talents well to keep her family fed, clothed and entertained. Shortly after graduating from Rainier High School in Oregon in 1943, Helen began work at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation as a ship welder on the Liberty Ships, an original "Rosie the Riveter". She later took classes and became a cardio-pulmonary tech at Guadalupe Medical Center, now Carlsbad Medical Center. She excelled in both jobs, becoming diagnostic supervisor and garnering many awards including the Dr. Frist Humanitarian Award in 1982. She helped initiate the Life and Breath Club, an education program for lung patients sponsored by the American Lung Association. For her efforts she was awarded the People to People Award in 1987. Helen belonged to St. Edward's Catholic Church and was also a member of Catholic Daughters of America, holding many offices and serving as regent from 1968-71. She was a Camp Fire Girl leader and also a Cub Scout den mother. For many years, she assisted her husband with his Boy Scout Troop, teaching them cooking skills. She belonged to AARP and Senior Citizens' Center. She was a Master Gardener with her yard winning several awards for her effort. Her art work graces several of her children's homes while many of her family or friends were the proud owners of her crocheted or knitted pieces. Helen was an avid reader and after her blindness continued receiving books on tapes from the League for the Blind. Another favorite activity for Helen was traveling, especially to her beloved Pacific northwest. She took her final farewell tour this past summer with her son, Ray and his family in their "Spirit" RV, smiling all the way. She was preceded in death by her husband, James; parents; daughter, Cathey Hoskinson; grandson, Michael Mashaw; sisters: Ethel Huffman, Lela O'Reilly and Nina Smith; brother, John Peters; sister-in-law, Virginia Bramwell; brothers-in-law Robert Mashaw and Thomas Mashaw. Survivors are her children: Marie (Susie) Gravley (Brad), Edmond, OK; Tom Mashaw (Mary), Tucson, AZ; Mike Mashaw, Carlsbad, NM; Ed Mashaw (Linda), Navarre, FL; Christine (Teeny) Wolski, Oklahoma City, OK; Harold Mashaw (Laura), Kenniwick, WA; George Mashaw (Lela), Carlsbad, NM; Richard Mashaw, Carlsbad, NM; Pat Mashaw (Rhonda), Newnan, GA; Tony Mashaw (DawnElla), Fort Cobb, OK; Francie Gordon (Jeff), Carlsbad, NM; Robert Mashaw, Willow Park, TX; and Ray Mashaw (Amanda), Carlsbad, NM. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Lindsay Fisher, Suzanne Little, Christopher Gravley, Jenny Gravley, Jeffrey Mashaw, Angela Bock, Mary Richardson, Robbie Hoskinson, Kyle Wolski, Ty Mashaw, Adam Mashaw, Garrett Mashaw, Austin Mashaw, Amy Mashaw, Keisha Mashaw, Tori Mashaw, Jake Farmer, Kevin Farmer, Quade Mashaw, Beau Mashaw and Bryce Mashaw. Great grandchildren are Lachlan and Cody Fisher, Paisley and Zachary Little, Maggie and Finnegan Gravley, Hannah Mashaw, Kenneth Bock, Autumn Richardson, Jacob Hoskinson, Kaylynn Farmer, Rhylea Mulkey with 2 more on the way. Surviving her is her brother, Richard Peters and sister, Ellen Kiefer. She is further survived by sisters-in-law Margaret Dickson and Betty Jo Mashaw. Helen also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews, and a slew of folks who also called her "Mom". In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Lakeview Christian Hospice Care, 1300 N. Canal Street, Carlsbad, NM 88220 or Noah's Ark, 5217 Buena Vista, Carlsbad, NM 88220. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.