Helen Haddon Shmoldas

Helen Haddon Shmoldas (Age 104) died peacefully, surrounded by love and the tranquil blessing of a life well-lived, on April 2, 2021 in Pueblo, CO. As the beloved matriarch, inspiration, and strong foundation for her family, she is survived by her three children, Mary Edyth Shmoldas Gifford, John Dusan Shmoldas, and Sylvia Nell Shmoldas Clair; son-in-law Theodore Robin Clair; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and her half-sister Beatrice Haddon Lissow.

Born in Livingston, Texas to Finney M. Haddon, Sr. and Ida Waters Johnson Haddon, Helen witnessed more than a century of change and turmoil, but remained steadfast and exceedingly humble in her focus on family, faith-filled service, and appreciation for the natural world. In fact, if she were to read these words, she would have us stop writing right now and not pay any more attention to her, thank you very much!

Forgive us, Helen, but we must continue to celebrate your example. To her family, she was a source of unconditional love, always ready for a quiet conversation or a rambunctious game of cards; always happy to share one of her extraordinary handcrafts or a witty aside from her often underestimated sense of humor. To her church, she was a devoted, modest servant of the Lord; a founding member of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX with her husband, Julius Rudolph Shmoldas; and would immediately credit any blessings, whether material or a perfect cloud-dappled sky, to Him. And as a woman of nature, she could expertly ramble her cherished Texas Piney woods; make a garden burst into bloom at her later home in Beulah, Colorado; or create gorgeous cards with hand-pressed flowers.

And she was a gifted artist. In her 40’s, she took up painting lessons, going on to sell over 1200 oil paintings, primarily of the bluebonnet-filled landscapes of Texas. These beautiful, delicate paintings will live on as a testament to her talent, her devotion to a simple life, and her belief in getting up each and every day with purpose.

Helen is predeceased by her husband, Julius (d. 1970); her siblings Finney Haddon, Jr. and Edythe Alda Haddon McMahan; her daughter-in-law Lea Wattiez Shmoldas; and her son-in-law Edwin A. Gifford. Her funeral service will be held at Callaway-Allee Funeral Home, Crockett, Texas, at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 10. She will be laid to rest, forever by Julius’ side, at Center Hill Cemetery, Crockett. Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Sangre de Cristo Hospice & Palliative Care, Pueblo, CO. (www.socohospice.org). “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6.