Helen E. McKay Strickland

Helen E. McKay Strickland, age 94, of Carlsbad, New Mexico, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2024.

Helen was born on February 7, 1930 to James A. McKay and Evelyn E. Hathaway in Bethel, Connecticut. A 1947 graduate of Bethel High School. She raised her family in Bethel, before moving to Carlsbad, New Mexico.

An active member of Fox and Lake Church of Christ, she served along side her husband, Calvin Strickland. She enjoyed her retirement years at the Lakeview Christian Village Community.

Helen is preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jean Burritt; brother, Robert McKay; and husbands Vincent Rowan and Calvin Strickland.

She is survived by her son, Leigh Nelson (Lisa Parke); daughter, Linda Nelson deHoff (Kurt deHoff); son, Steven Nelson (Julia Borden); granddaughters: Alindy Nordlum (Christopher), Erin Lamartino, and Shawna deHoff (J. Scott Conway); great- granddaughters Avery and Sienna Nordlum.

Visitation will be at Denton-Wood Funeral Home on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 4-6 pm. A Memorial Service will follow at 6 PM, 1001 N. Canal St, Carlsbad, NM.

 A private burial for the family will be held January 18, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Helen’s memory to: Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter, 5217 Buena Vista Dr., Carlsbad, NM 88220