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Helen M. Herndon, 80

Helen M. Herndon passed away at her home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Sept. 17, 2017, with her family by her side. She was born on Aug. 15, 1937, in Pomeroy, Wash., to Gilbert and Martha Morris.

When she was 5, she moved to Spokane with her parents and siblings, Elizabeth and Charles. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes grade school and graduated from Holy Names Academy in 1956. After graduation, she began working at the Rockwood Clinic. She then met Richard (Dick) Herndon, the brother of her best friend Mary Ellen Herndon, and they were married at Saint Augustine’s parish in Spokane in 1959.

Helen and Dick eventually moved to Wallace, Idaho, where they raised their family of four children. Both Helen and Dick loved living in Wallace and spending time with family and friends camping up the North Fork or on Lake Coeur d’Alene, marching in the kazoo band as part of the Wallace Elks parade, and the annual Christmas tree hunts. She loved decorating for the holidays, especially at Christmas, and was renowned for her Christmas cookies. Helen and Dick also enjoyed ocean cruises and annual winter trips to Hawaii. She was an avid Gonzaga University basketball supporter and enjoyed cheering them on with her family.

Helen was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Michael Herndon, Mary Herndon and Dr. Deborah Diamond of Seattle, David and Heidi Herndon of Post Falls, Patrick and Tish Herndon of Coeur d’Alene; grandchildren Hillary (Eric) Titus, Tyson Herndon, Nathan Herndon and Kiera Herndon; and sister Elizabeth Richardson of Post Falls. She is preceded in death by her husband, Dick; parents Gilbert Morris and Martha Gregory; and brother Charles Morris.

The family wishes to thank her nurse Maggie and all the other staff at Hospice of North Idaho for their continued support over the past several months, as well as close family friends Darlene Blomgren and Erin McClatchey for their constant care, love and friendship toward our mom. We also want to thank all the other family and friends who visited mom and spent time with her over the past year and a half during her courageous battle with cancer. She truly appreciated everyone’s visit.

The family requests any donations be made to Hospice of North Idaho, 9493 N. Government Way, Hayden, ID 83835.

A memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, 744 N. Fourth St., Coeur d’Alene. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, at Holy Cross Cemetery, N. 7200 Wall St., Spokane, Wash.

Please visit Helen’s online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.