In Memory of Ted and Helyne
The recent and close passing of both Theadore (Ted) L. Lenzie Sr., 87, of Pahrump, NV, born February 14, 1936 in San Jose, CA and Helyne V. Lenzie, 93, of Pahrump NV, born October 30, 1929 in Sacramento, CA who were married for more than 66 years. The end came on September 14, 2023 for Ted and only 34 days later for Helyne on October 18, 2023, barely missing her 94 th birthday by 12 days. They are survived by 4 children, Linda (Bob), James (Pat), Ted Jr (Sheryl), and Teresa (Marc), with 1 child (John) that predeceased them. In addition, they are survived by 7 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
Both of them were born during the difficult and challenging times of The Great Depression and grew up during World War II. Helyne was the proud daughter of Greek immigrants. Her mother, Aspasia, and father, Theodore, worked hard to build a life in their new country. Helyne was predeceased by her siblings, Pete, Connie, and Ann; however, her little brother James just passed in February, 2024.
Ted grew up primarily in Stockton, CA. His father, Louis, from Switzerland served in World War I for the U.S. Army and was a cowboy and blacksmith. Ted’s mother, Norma, had a long family history dating back to the 1600’s and is primarily of British descent.
Ted and Helyne met in Stockton, CA, in late 1956 at a bar/dance when Ted was in the U.S. Navy on leave. When he met Helyne, the “love story” began. They married shortly after on April 27, 1957 in Reno, NV without a dime to their names. Helyne’s brother Jim drove them there, paid for the marriage, license, dinner, and $5.00 each to gamble. Her sister Ann bought their wedding rings, and they soon began their adventurous life.
Ted was career Navy, so as the family grew, they traveled to different ports, bases, and training centers from Long Beach, San Diego, Vallejo, White Sands New Mexico, and Chicago, Illinois. Helyne would take jobs, and together and sometimes far apart, while Ted was out to sea often more than 6 months, they would support a family and make a life for themselves.
As Ted’s Navy career drew to an end, they moved back to Sacramento, but wanted to fulfill their dream of living on a ranch. They moved out to Herald, CA on four acres, with nothing more than an old house and garage. After some time they built the little ranch as a place where they could continue to raise their family, a variety of farm animals, fruit trees, and gardens.
They both continued to work, with Helyne retiring in the 1980’s as a Quality Assurance inspector, while Ted retired in the early 2000’s as a plant manager. With the children all grown and moved away, they began to head out on camping and fishing trips on their own and with friends. They would just take off without leaving any word where they were going, or when they would return. They were free!
As they got a bit older, the ranch was becoming more difficult to manage and soon they found themselves in Payson, AZ, near one of their daughters. They loved exploring northern AZ. Ted took up golf, while Helyne continued her favorite pastimes of reading, playing slot machines, and shopping. Soon they bought a new motorhome and were off exploring again.
After a few years in Payson, the snow was a bit too much to handle, so they moved to the warmer climate of Pahrump, NV, about an hour from Las Vegas, where they found their dream home. This was a new home. Something they never experienced. It was somewhat like returning to Herald with just a house and nothing else on the property. Soon they were at work building a patio, a fountain, planting trees in the front and back yards, and decorating the new home inside and outside. They made some friends and life was good.
They took their motorhome out for more adventures, including annual family trips to Death Valley that started many years earlier, but now it was only an hour away. Other motorhome trips included to Morro Bay on family camping trips, to Yellowstone with a son and his wife, and to so many others places. They took two cruises to Alaska with their daughters and husbands, and a plane trip to New York with one of their sons and his family. Life continued to be good.
Later as their children retired, their two daughters moved to the area. As Ted and Helyne aged, having family nearby again was of great support and comfort to them. Their sons came down often to help out, and in these last eight years, they all saw more of each other than in a long time, bringing the family closer. The Pahrump home became the center of the family gatherings for holidays, birthdays, and just getting together. Fun times for sure.
As time passed and they became older, their children were with them even more. During both of their last days and moments, family members were at their sides until they passed to the other side. They had it all. A life together full of love, adventures, family, and friends and to know that they were loved to their last breath on this earth. The best that anyone can have is to know you are loved and not alone. They will be greatly missed.
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Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Lenzie family.