Minerva “Helene” Poling
Minerva Helene Baca Poling 1932-2017 peacefully passed away surrounded by those who loved her on May 19, 2017. She was born to Amado and Inez Baca in Albuquerque, NM. She attended St Vincent Academy in Albuquerque, NM. She was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years Gerald E. Poling, her sister Margie Leonard, and her brother Dr Don Baca.
She leaves behind her brother Justice (ret) Joseph Baca and wife Dorothy; daughter Sharon Thaggard and husband Robert; sons Mike Poling and Jackie Lehner; Steve Poling and wife Jenny; grandchildren Taryn, Rachel, Nicole, Danielle, Nathan and Bryce; brother in law Lt Colonel (ret) Charles Leonard; nieces Jolynn Baca Jaekel and husband Rob; Andrea Baca Wash and husband Jay; Anna Marie Baca Van Blarcom and husband Chris; Mark Leonard and wife Liz; nephews Charlie, Sam, Andy and Robert Leonard; George Baca and wife Joan and Robert Baca.
Helene, as she was affectionately known, worked as a school administrator for Clear Lake Elementary for 23 years where she made many friends of parents, students and faculty. Helene was also active in church groups such as the Carmeliters, Helping Hands, Sunshine Club and Widows Club. A passionate traveler, Helene traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and the world.
With a kind and thoughtful word for everyone she met, she touched the lives of many through her service, friendship and prolific sending of cards and letters. In a style that harkens back to days gone by, she always took the time to send a personal handwritten note to recognize special occasions. One of her favorites was “Christmas in July”.
Active until her final days, Helene possessed a boundless energy and infectious enthusiasm for life. She lived each and every day to its fullest and spread kindness and joy where ever she went.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday May 25, 2017 at 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:00 pm) at Crowder Funeral Home 111 E Medical Center Blvd Webster, Tx 77598.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday May 26, 2017 at 10:00 am at St Bernadette Catholic Church 15500 El Camino Real Houston, Tx 77062. A reception will take place immediately afterwards at St. Bernadette Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, El Santuario de Chimayo or the Support for People with Head and Neck Cancer, Inc..
Helene was such a wonderful, kind, graceful and loving soul who warmed and touched so many lives. We are very fortunate and blessed to get to know her and her beautiful family. Miss her so much and will always….
May she rest in peace! May God bless her family and loving ones!
Dear Poling Family,
So sorry for your loss.Helene was an amazing woman,and you all are an amazing family ,demonstrating love,kindness, and strength . Me and my family have been blessed to have known Helene. She was a great friend and my role model. She was the most caring person I have ever known. Precious Helene will never be forgotten .
May you all find Gods PEACE- today,during her celebration of life, and days ahead, knowing that someday you will truly see her again.
Love and prayers, Jodi and family
Jim and I are so sorry for the loss of Helene. Even though we didn’t see her often over these last few years, when we did it was just like old times. She was always so welcoming and loving. She’ll be missed.
Helene was a vivacious and energetic person. She enjoyed inviting people home and everybody had a good time be it Good Friday, Thanksgiving or Christmas. There was always a great selection of food and entertainment for all. Helene was a happy soul and we feel blessed to have known her. We would swap stories of our traveIs. I was constantly amazed at her zest for life.I am sure she has touched several people’s lives with her happiness. We will miss her greatly.
Bhuvana & Ashok.
Helen was a sweet lady.I was looking forward
To see her on Tuesdays at the 8:30 am mass,
And after mass going to bible study.I also saw her
on Sundays at St B’s church at 11:00 am.
May She RIP in the arms of the Lord.
To the Family,I am Sooo sorry for your
Huge lose.God Bless.❤️🙏❤️
Mayda Salmon
Heaven has welcomed another angel. Helene’s grace, elegance, and poise will shine even brighter. She is a spirited individual with untiring enthusiasm for life, adventure, and family. She has always welcomed us into her home and treated us like family. She has always asked about our well-being with cheerfulness and always offered her support. That is the person she is – thoughtful, loving, caring. We have become better people to have known her. She will be missed.
Love and best wishes to the Poling Family.
Dearest Poling & Baca Family:
Words are never enough at a time like this. Helene was near and dear to my heart and will be truly missed by so many of us. She had a kind, gentle, sweet and caring spirit. She was never a stranger to anyone she came in contact with ~ always reaching out to others with a smile. Her circle of friends were endless. She came from a wonderful family of Baca’s and Poling’s. Although she has left her earthly home, we now know she is in her heavenly home with her sister, Margie (a very dear friend of mine) and other cherished family members, relatives, and friends, and most importantly, welcomed by Our Lord Jesus Christ. As the card said that I sent to the Joe & Dorothy Baca Family ~ “The soul would have no rainbows if the eyes had no tears” ~ so farewell, close personal friend (a personal & meaningful term I always wrote in cards to her and her sister Margie or spoke of in gatherings). Please know this message is being sent with much LOVE and fond memories. Blessings & Heartfelt Sympathy, Rita Peaslee (and, of course, Jim Peaslee).
Dear Poling Family,
We are so sad for your loss. I consider your mom my mom also, as she raised me along side of my own mom. Her contagious energy and love filled our family. There were so many fond memories created among our families. May you all be surrounded by love and comfort.
All our love,
Boe and Barbara (Farries) Addleman
We working with Helene at Clear Lake City Elementary where she was always gracious and welcoming. We were neighbors for 28 years and will remember her fondly each time we drive or walk past her house. She will be missed at St. Bernadette Church as well.
Love and Peace to her family,
Brian and Kris Kissell
So sorry to hear of your loss. Helene always wrote every Christmas and I should have known that the Lord had taken her home. Love to all her family. Blessings.