Leila
Girard passed on December 3, 2014, peacefully, at home in Yuma surrounded by
family after a long, rich life of 100 years. Born Leila Orene Helmka in Bath,
South Dakota on October 5, 1914, she grew up in Aberdeen with brothers Orville
Helmka (Alice) and Morris Helmka (Martha). She married Colby Girard, Sr. in
Aberdeen and they raised their family there, in Kelso, Washington and, starting
in 1964, in Yuma.
Leila's children are Robert Colby Girard, Sr. (Audrey), Carol Diane Gregg (Pete),
Wendell Loren Girard (Mina), Thomas Lee Girard, Sr. (Marlene), Charlotte Orene
Girard, Marilyn Eloise Jacobson (Randy), Susan Elizabeth Quattlebaum (Charlie),
Colby Earl Girard, Jr. (Jule) and Darlene Katherine Komora (Bill).
While all her children helped with her care in recent years, the family is deeply
grateful for the extraordinary devotion of our sister Marilyn as our mother's
caregiver.
Leila met life's challenges with strong will, generosity and cheerfulness. She
was a tireless partner to her husband in their grocery business. She found her
greatest joy and strength in caring for family and spoke lovingly of her children,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Public memorial service will be at Connecting Point/First Church of the Nazarene
at 1900 S. Avenue A, Yuma, at 1 pm, Friday, December 12, with Father Paul Gambling
officiating. A brief service at Desert Lawn follows immediately. Services are
coordinated through Desert Valley Mortuary.
Photos of Leila and her life are at colbygirard.com. The family thanks Hospice
of Yuma, Dr. Jeanne N. Elnadry and Clara Gomez for immense skill, kindness and
grace. Please celebrate Leila's life with an online gift to Hospice of Yuma
now.
