Helen Eileen Anderson

Helen Eileen Anderson passed away peacefully on July 17, 2021, surrounded by her family.  Helen was born in Taos, New Mexico on July 10, 1925 to the late Floyd and Daphne Santistevan.  Her mother and grandmother were school teachers so depending on where they were teaching, was where Helen attended school.  She attended school in Taos, Ojo Caliente, Santa Cruz and graduated from the Harwood Girls School in Albuquerque.

She attended Western Union school in Springfield, Missouri where she met and married Jack Anderson and they remained married for 54 years until his death in 1999.  Jack was in the Navy and when possible, Helen and her children would live with him when he was stationed stateside; however, her home base was always Santistevan Lane in Taos.

Helen attended cosmetology school and was licensed in California and eventually New Mexico.  She went on to open her own beauty shop at different locations over the years in Taos.

Helen was an incredible daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and most recently, she was blessed with a great-great grandson.  She loved her family and was very devoted to them.  She was happiest when she was around all of her family.  She also loved her Taos Mountain.  She spent many months in 2020 with her daughter in Arroyo Seco and enjoyed a grand view of the mountain and the many many hummingbirds.  She was in heaven!

Helen leaves her loving memories to be cherished by her daughters, Jacquelyn Chase and Cathleen Lopez (Bob); by her grandchildren Victoria Grasmick (Brian), Amanda Quintana (David) and Matthew Lopez; by her great grandchildren Daphne Wright (Corey), Johnathan Grasmick (Kim), Kyle Chase, Alesia Chase, Slater Janek (Heather), Deacon Janek, Leonardo Quintana and Eloise Quintana and by her great-great grandson Christopher Wright.  She also leaves behind her beloved Santistevan family members, and many cherished friends and family.  She is preceded in death by her son, Michael Anderson, and her grandchildren, Kelley Chase and Cheryl Anderson.

Services will be held at Santa Maria de La Paz in Santa Fe on Tuesday, August 17.  The Rosary will be at 10:00 a.m. and the Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m.  Interment will be at the National Cemetery at 12:45 p.m.  Arrangements are being handled by Rivera Family Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Del Corazon Hospice, 811 St. Michael’s Drive, Suite 207, Santa Fe, NM  87505.