Helen Christiansen Brown

Obituary Helen Smith Christiansen Brown passed away on February 2, 2018 after a brief illness. As in life, she was surrounded by her loved ones. Helen was born on December 30, 1931 in Santa Rita, New Mexico to Lucille and William Shorty Smith and she grew up in Hurley, New Mexico. She moved to Carlsbad to start her teaching career, which lasted until her retirement in 1986. She taught hundreds of Carlsbad second-graders, first at the Air Base, then at Puckett Elementary, and finally at Hillcrest Elementary. More recently, Helen kept busy swimming at the Carlsbad High School natatorium, spending time with her friends and family, and planning parties for the Red Hat Society and the International Good Neighbor Council, where she served as President. Helen was preceded in death by two amazing husbands, who each adored herRobert Bob Christiansen and Sanford Brownie Brown. She often talked about how lucky she was to have met and married two men who loved her so much. She was also preceded in death by her brothers William Bill Smith and Richard Dick Smith. She is survived by her children: Tracie Bernin, Rob Christiansen and wife Wendy, and Kelli Hinson and husband Tracy; her sisters-in-law Shirley Smith and Virginia Smith, her grandkids Kevin McCrory, Matthew Bernin, Rachel Bernin, Ruth Bernin and Lee, Sarah Thompson and husband Trey, Megan Heard and husband Dustin, Dakotah Smith and wife Angela, Brittany Christiansen, Garrett Christiansen, Gunner Christiansen, Will Hinson, and Jake Hinson; and many wonderful nieces and nephews, cousins, and great-grandchildren. She will be dearly missed. Visitation will be 4:00 PM 6:00 PM, Thursday, February 8, 2018 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 AM, Friday, February 9, 2018 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David W. Rogers officiating. Interment will follow in Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen Christiansen Brown, please visit our floral store.