Helen Jane Tracht

Helen Jane Tracht, aged 92, died peacefully on January 22, 2013 at home with her daughter and son-in-law in Torrance, California after a brief struggle with pneumonia. Helen was born November 22, 1920 in, Petersburg, Indiana, the fourth child of the late James Pinnick and Clara Redman.

During her last days she had the joy of being surrounded by the most important people in her life, her three daughters. Her love for them was one of her greatest strengths, unwavering and without limits.

We the family, can not express our gratitude enough to the "Angels" of Vitas Hospice for their tender and loving care of Mother during her last week of life. Her wish was to die at home with the arms of loved ones around her. God granted her wish before she went to her eternal home - now free to see again, free to hear again, free, free, free!

Helen was preceded in death by brothers, Howard Pinnick, Donald Pinnick, and sisters, Mary Catherine Cochran and Marjorie Thomas. Helen thoroughly enjoyed athletics and the outdoors. Her kind of fun was wrestling with her brothers and she loved pinning them down! The Pinnick family moved from Howard Lake, Minnesota to Phoenix, Arizona in 1935. There she finished her education at Scottsdale High School.

In 1938, Helen married W.W. "Jeff" Tracht and began their life together working on the Tracht family ranch in Phoenix. In 1952, after selling their ranch, Helen and Jeff moved from Arizona to California with their eldest daughters along with in-laws, S.W. and Myrtle Tracht. Their third daughter was born in California. They bought a poultry farm and ran it for a few years, but sold it off to settle their aging parents into retirement. The family settled in Baldwin Park, California, raising their family and enjoyed entertaining and socializing with many lifelong friends they made through the years.

Family and friends were Helen's passion and delight. She enjoyed life to the fullest with much laughter, dancing, cooking, decorating, gardening, and card games. Oh, we can't forget those many great "Vegas" trips with the Sauders! In addition to raising her daughters, Helen was in retail sales and spent many years in interior decorating and retired from The Broadway Department Store in 1981.

She was a member of the West Covina Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She served as Past Grand Worthy Matron, DGM in 1988 and is included in the Living Members Honored by Grand Chapter of California.

Helen and Jeff retired and moved to her dream home in Vista, California in 1990. She spent many years remodeling their home and together they created a beautiful lush back yard with trees, shrubs and flowers. The family enjoyed many times in that home and will always treasure those memories.

Her husband, Jeff, passed away in 1997. Helen later sold their home and returned to West Covina. There she shared many years of companionship with Harold LaForce, a sweet man whom she loved. Due to their deteriorating health, Helen moved to Torrance, California in 2011 to live and be cared for by her daughter Pam.

Helen is survived by three daughter's, Penny Elliott and Larry Elliott of Phoenix, Arizona, Pam Figueroa and husband, Mike of Torrance,California, and Jan Lemau and Richard Atencio of Chandler, Arizona.

She also leaves behind one grandson, Jeff Elliott, whom she adored; and six granddaughter's: Kim Spisany and husband, Gordon, Amy Rochford, Amber Agonia and husband Kyle, Alana Puleo and husband Luke, Jana Kubicek and husband Kraig, and Andrea Cassidy and husband Brian; ten great- grandchildren: Will and Taylor Spisany, Jack, Pete and Matt Rochford, Kaleb and Isabella Agonia, Malia and Leiana Puleo, Amia Kubicek, and Harrison Cassidy; as well as numerous loving relatives and friends.

Helen was one of the strongest women God ever made and she passed that strength down her family line. She often wondered, "Why has the Good Lord not taken me yet?" But as it was, she came to see and understand God's purpose and His timing for her. Her great-grandson, Harrison Cassidy, was born 3 months early, a micro preemie, weighing 1lb. 14oz. Many days in his three months in the hospital, we did not know what his outcome would be. Everyone was praying, but his Great-Grandma prayed on continuously during those months. She finally had the joy of meeting him, home from the hospital, perfectly whole. With her purpose fulfilled, we're sure she heard as she took Jesus' hand, "Well done thou good and faithful servant!" We know Harrison has her strength!

Thank you Mother, Grandma, Great-Grandma, rest in peace and know we will carry you in our heart until we meet again.

WE LOVE YOU!!!