Helen Avis Gulliver

Helen Gulliver, 91, passed away peacefully January 12, after battling heart and breathing problems the last years of her life. Born in Long Beach on July 19, 1922, she remembers her childhood years in Long Beach as a wonderful time—if you've seen an Our Gang Comedy, you have a picture of what it was like. Her father, O. E. Himes, was a grocer who owned a grocery store in Long Beach, first on Pacific Ave. and then a larger store on Magnolia Ave. Financial setbacks during the Depression forced the family to move to Pomona.

In Pomona, Helen was very active in the youth group at the Pomona Christian Church, and was involved in L.A. County Christian Endeavor along with her sister Marian. They also were both in the Girl Scouts. They did a lot of things together, as sisters often did.

When her sister started dating Glen Hendricks, Helen was soon asked to "double up" with Glen's roommate, Robert W. "Bud" Gulliver, and as you guessed, romance soon developed for both sisters. Marian married Glen, and then a little later, Helen married Bud in 1939.

Bud was building DC-3's for Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica and so they moved to the West L.A. area. Soon baby Ruth was on the way. After Ruth was born in 1940, the family relocated to Hawthorne, where Helen would live for the rest of her life.

WWII saw both Bud and Helen do their part for the war effort. Bud continued to build DC-3's, now designated C-47's. Helen also worked in a defense plant. Late in the war, the Navy took Bud to serve as a radar operator on an LSM. He was sent to Norfolk, VA, to the Amphibious Training Base at Little Creek. During his training there, Bud had a terrible accident.

Informed by the Navy of the accident, Helen rushed to Norfolk, not knowing if Bud would live or die. The Navy allowed them time together as he recovered. Helen cherished that time when their love grew deeper. She kept a khaki bag containing the shells she collected from their walks on the beach as a reminder of that special time. (That bag is in her casket)

After the war, Gail was born in 1947 and Mark in 1950. Bud was recalled to serve 6 months in the Korean War. Two years later, Terry was born in 1952, and three years later, Jill was born in 1955—completing the family.

As her children grew up and married, Helen returned to the workforce. She worked for JC Penney in Del Amo as a sales associate for 19 years. She retired to take care of Bud when he developed PLS. Given 5 years to live, Bud lived 31 years because of her care.

The four and a half years after Bud's passing were difficult for Helen. She missed him terribly and ravages of time paid a heavy toll on her. She went through shoulder replacement surgery so she could continue to use her right arm. She was in and out of the hospital for congestive heart failure, respiratory problems and a failing aortic valve. These physical problems finally proved too much for her to overcome. She was ready to go home and be with her Lord. She passed away peacefully, Sunday morning, January 12, 2014.

Helen leaves a legacy of love and encouragement. She loved to sew, bake, and garden. She loved music, art, and reading. She passed these loves to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Helen's innumerable acts of kindness were a blessing to all. A little of Helen will live on in all of us as we remember how she touched each one of our lives.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275