1915
Helen
2011
Helen F. Parce
March 23, 1915 — February 1, 2011
Helen Flynn Parce
March 23, 1915 – February 1, 2011
Harlingen:
Helen Flynn Parce, daughter of Fred L. and Josephine Flynn was born in San Benito March 23, 1915, and went to be with her Lord and Savior in her home February 1, 2011. Early in life Helen embraced music and tennis with gusto, becoming an accomplished concert pianist and organist who gladly shared her talent with her friends, church, even strangers whenever piano or organ music was needed. She served her church for years an organist and played for countless weddings, funerals and other occasions. When she entered Brenau College in Gainesville, Georgia, in 1933, she wrote, “Music has always had a high place in my life. It has helped me by giving me a definite aim or ambition. My philosophy has been to try not to worry about things that have already happened…I came to college with my mind made up to like everyone. I hope to keep this attitude all through my life.” She went on to graduate magna cum laude from the University of Illinois as a music major.
Her love of life, eternal optimism and dogged determinism came from her father, Fred L. Flynn, a noted Valley pioneer and business leader until the time he passed away at age 100 in 1989. Helen’s love for travel was gained from the many business trips her father took her on all across the country. While he was conducting business, Helen had the opportunity to explore on her own.
Two highlights of their travels were in 1955 when the now Flynn-Parce family took their automobile with them and traveled though Europe when there were few tourists there and in 1960 when they toured the world, accompanied by daughter Julie’s friend Sandra Boggus Grawunder.
Since her father was an avid tennis player, Helen took up the sport and played into her 80’s.
Helen was famous for her warm hospitality. She welcomed all who came to her door and entertained frequently for her friends, neighbors, church and Republican Party events.
After college graduation, Helen ventured to Los Angeles for further studies and met Charles W. Parce, who was an M.I.T. graduate engineer working for Technicolor on the mover “The Wizard of Oz.” Sparks flew and they were soon married and settled in Harlingen. Being an engineer, Charlie founded Valley Weathermakers, an air conditioning and refrigeration business, which he successfully pursued until his untimely death in an airplane crash in 1971.
Charlie and Helen enjoyed life to the fullest and soon became the parents of sons Fred and Walter and daughter Julie.
Helen’s faith in Jesus Christ was her guide and anchor in life and countless people have credited her with influencing their decision to follow Christ. In the early 1960’s, she and Charlie were charter members of Parkwood Memorial Bible Church. Later on, she became an early member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. She was also active in Christian Women’s Club and played the piano for their meetings.
Serving others was always in Helen’s life and she was a charter member of the Harlingen Junior Service League. She was also an avid gardener. Her favorite flower was the gardenia and she loved wearing one in her hair.
Helen was well known for her political activism and was a staunch conservative Republican. Her frequent, well-written letters to the editor were enjoyed by many.
After Charlie’s passing, she became dismayed at the lack of quality reading material to be found in local super markets, and, with her lifelong friend, Mrs. Janie Robertson, convinced her father’s friend, former neighbor and tennis partner, H. E. Butt, Sr. to let them sell Christian oriented books in his H.E.B. Supermarkets. They did this for many years as a Christian outreach and then sold their business.
The Parce family grew again with the marriage of Fred to Maureen, Walter to Becky, and Julie to Jack Cox of Tampico, Mexico. Grandchildren soon followed with Susanne and Freddie to Fred and Maureen, Tiffany to Walter and Becky and Wendell and Charles to Julie and Jack. Helen’s long and full life continued to be blessed by the marriage of Susanne Parce to Robert Hiegel, Freddie Parce to Chassidy, Charles Cox to Kelly and Wendell Cox to Amy.
Great sadness came to the family with the untimely passing of beloved daughter Julie Cox in 2001. But joy returned again with great grandchildren Frederick and Macy, born to Freddie and Chassidy Parce; Ashlyn and Ryan born to Susanne and Rob Hiegel; Billy, Julie Kelly, and Kate born to Charles and Kelly Cox and Jackson, Johnny, and Virginia Ann born to Wendell and Amy Cox.
Helen is also survived by her sister-in-law Martha Parce Fraser and husband John.
The family will receive visitors Friday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. It was Helen’s wish that her body be given to medical science. A memorial service in celebration of her full and joyous life with be held Saturday morning, February 5, at 11:00 AM at the Covenant Presbyterian Church with Reverend Scott Floyd of Covenant and Reverend David Mullins of Tampico officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2701 N. 7th, Harlingen, Texas 78550, The Gideons International, P. O. Box 290, Harlingen, Texas 78551 or The Republican National Committee for the 2012 Presidential election.
You are invited to leave a memory or condolence at www.buckashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
March 23, 1915 – February 1, 2011
Harlingen:
Helen Flynn Parce, daughter of Fred L. and Josephine Flynn was born in San Benito March 23, 1915, and went to be with her Lord and Savior in her home February 1, 2011. Early in life Helen embraced music and tennis with gusto, becoming an accomplished concert pianist and organist who gladly shared her talent with her friends, church, even strangers whenever piano or organ music was needed. She served her church for years an organist and played for countless weddings, funerals and other occasions. When she entered Brenau College in Gainesville, Georgia, in 1933, she wrote, “Music has always had a high place in my life. It has helped me by giving me a definite aim or ambition. My philosophy has been to try not to worry about things that have already happened…I came to college with my mind made up to like everyone. I hope to keep this attitude all through my life.” She went on to graduate magna cum laude from the University of Illinois as a music major.
Her love of life, eternal optimism and dogged determinism came from her father, Fred L. Flynn, a noted Valley pioneer and business leader until the time he passed away at age 100 in 1989. Helen’s love for travel was gained from the many business trips her father took her on all across the country. While he was conducting business, Helen had the opportunity to explore on her own.
Two highlights of their travels were in 1955 when the now Flynn-Parce family took their automobile with them and traveled though Europe when there were few tourists there and in 1960 when they toured the world, accompanied by daughter Julie’s friend Sandra Boggus Grawunder.
Since her father was an avid tennis player, Helen took up the sport and played into her 80’s.
Helen was famous for her warm hospitality. She welcomed all who came to her door and entertained frequently for her friends, neighbors, church and Republican Party events.
After college graduation, Helen ventured to Los Angeles for further studies and met Charles W. Parce, who was an M.I.T. graduate engineer working for Technicolor on the mover “The Wizard of Oz.” Sparks flew and they were soon married and settled in Harlingen. Being an engineer, Charlie founded Valley Weathermakers, an air conditioning and refrigeration business, which he successfully pursued until his untimely death in an airplane crash in 1971.
Charlie and Helen enjoyed life to the fullest and soon became the parents of sons Fred and Walter and daughter Julie.
Helen’s faith in Jesus Christ was her guide and anchor in life and countless people have credited her with influencing their decision to follow Christ. In the early 1960’s, she and Charlie were charter members of Parkwood Memorial Bible Church. Later on, she became an early member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. She was also active in Christian Women’s Club and played the piano for their meetings.
Serving others was always in Helen’s life and she was a charter member of the Harlingen Junior Service League. She was also an avid gardener. Her favorite flower was the gardenia and she loved wearing one in her hair.
Helen was well known for her political activism and was a staunch conservative Republican. Her frequent, well-written letters to the editor were enjoyed by many.
After Charlie’s passing, she became dismayed at the lack of quality reading material to be found in local super markets, and, with her lifelong friend, Mrs. Janie Robertson, convinced her father’s friend, former neighbor and tennis partner, H. E. Butt, Sr. to let them sell Christian oriented books in his H.E.B. Supermarkets. They did this for many years as a Christian outreach and then sold their business.
The Parce family grew again with the marriage of Fred to Maureen, Walter to Becky, and Julie to Jack Cox of Tampico, Mexico. Grandchildren soon followed with Susanne and Freddie to Fred and Maureen, Tiffany to Walter and Becky and Wendell and Charles to Julie and Jack. Helen’s long and full life continued to be blessed by the marriage of Susanne Parce to Robert Hiegel, Freddie Parce to Chassidy, Charles Cox to Kelly and Wendell Cox to Amy.
Great sadness came to the family with the untimely passing of beloved daughter Julie Cox in 2001. But joy returned again with great grandchildren Frederick and Macy, born to Freddie and Chassidy Parce; Ashlyn and Ryan born to Susanne and Rob Hiegel; Billy, Julie Kelly, and Kate born to Charles and Kelly Cox and Jackson, Johnny, and Virginia Ann born to Wendell and Amy Cox.
Helen is also survived by her sister-in-law Martha Parce Fraser and husband John.
The family will receive visitors Friday evening from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home. It was Helen’s wish that her body be given to medical science. A memorial service in celebration of her full and joyous life with be held Saturday morning, February 5, at 11:00 AM at the Covenant Presbyterian Church with Reverend Scott Floyd of Covenant and Reverend David Mullins of Tampico officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2701 N. 7th, Harlingen, Texas 78550, The Gideons International, P. O. Box 290, Harlingen, Texas 78551 or The Republican National Committee for the 2012 Presidential election.
You are invited to leave a memory or condolence at www.buckashcraft.com.
Arrangements are with Buck Ashcraft Funeral Home.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Helen F. Parce, please visit our flower store.