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Helen Whiteside, Ed. D. departed for her heavenly home on March 31, 2007. She was born in 1914 and came to Albuquerque in 1960 as Dean of Women at the University of New Mexico. She leaves a sister Mary Frances Hayes, nieces Carolyn Ball and Ann Lacy of Texas, the Fallis family of Arkansas, sister and caregiver Jackie Fallis and dear friends in Albuquerque. Helen lived a full and happy life. She enjoyed music and singing, oil painting and sketching, travel and trips in her RV, her dogs and birds. She sat on the patio under a very large tree calling in the birds to whistle and chitchat for hours. Helen held five university degrees, the last being a doctorate from Columbia University in New York. Dr. Whiteside's stewardship has touched public schools, private colleges and universities in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Colorado, and New York. She served as Dean of Chatham College in Pittsburg, PA, and Dean of Women and Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of New Mexico. She enjoyed working with Panhellanic and was particularly fond of the Town Club. She held membership and executive positions in eleven state and national organizations and received many recognitions and Distinguished Alumnae Awards from several universities. Helen's many former students, colleagues, and associates around the country have extended their thanks to her for the years of loving interest and concern. Helen served in both enlisted and officer ranks with the U.S. Navy in World War II. As a Lieutenant one assignment was to make ready a large mansion on Riverside Drive in Chicago to receive the first group of Waves whose mission was to relieve seamen of office and detail duties and report for active service. This challenging assignment was the most rewarding of her professional life. In more recent years this mansion became the home of Oprah Winfrey. Helen enjoyed visiting the mansion via TV as Oprah would do program segments from her residence. She has remained an active member of Waves National New Mexico Unit #04, Roadrunners (U.S. Navy Woman's Assoc.). She served as District Director of five states of Waves National. Helen was a member of St. John's Methodist Church and several community organizations. She was known for her integrity, strong spirit, caring nature, absolute loyalty, and generosity to every charity that mailed a request for donations. She was revered by her students, respected by her colleagues and loved by her friends and family. A reception is planned for friends on Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007, 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the home of Helen and Jackie, 1907 Richmond NE Albuquerque. Cremation has taken place. Memorial services and interment will be held on Tuesday April 10, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N. Guadalupe Santa Fe, NM with Rev. Clyde Stanfield officiating. Donations in-lieu of flowers would be appreciated by the Assistance League of Albuquerque "Operation School Bell" school uniform project, PO Box 35910 Albuquerque 87176, or by St. John's Methodist Church "Organ Fund", 2626 Arizona NE Albuquerque 87110. All services are under the care and direction of: Fitzgerald and Son Funeral Directors 3113 Carlisle Blvd. NE 884-1188
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