Helen Moss

Helen Prestwich Moss died of natural causes on Saturday, July 2, 2011 in Durango, Colorado. She was 94 years old.

Helen was born in Moroni, Utah on August 27, 1916, to Joseph Prestwich and Nartha (Smith) Prestwich. She was the third of four children: Joseph Glen Prestwich (deceased), Enid (Prestwich) Nielson (deceased), Helen (Prestwich) Moss, and Don Harvey Prestwich.

While growing up in Sanpete County, Utah, Helen cultivated a love of the arts and literature. She was an avid reader and received awards for her dedication and accomplishments in drama. Helen’s love for both reading and drama remained a significant part of her adult life and were reflected through the collection of books, art and music within her home.

Helen is fondly remembered throughout Durango and the surrounding area for her dedication, patience and care that she devoted to her charges as a nurse. Her nursing career began when she worked in a doctor’s office as a teenager to pay off a balance from an operation she had received. During this time her interest and love for the profession blossomed. She was unable to pursue her passion for nursing, however, until later in her life. Helen graduated in 1960 as a Licensed Practical Nurse. She loved the excitement and challenge of the emergency trauma unit at Mercy Medical in Durango and later retired from nursing as the school nurse at Miller Junior High School.

She married Lloyd Emerson Moss in Moroni, Utah on 1 November 1934. The marriage was sealed in the Manti, Utah Temple on 27 July 1950. Children born to this union were, Beverly (Moss) Jack, married to Robert Jack, Connie (Moss) Knight, married to Edwin Knight, Sheila (Moss) Walter, married to Loren Walter (deceased), and Joseph Lloyd Moss, married to Karla (Newbrough) Moss. Lloyd preceded Helen in death, July 26, 1999. She is survived by all of her children, 19 grandchildren, 72 great grandchildren, and 16 great-great grandchildren.

Helen enjoyed traveling with friends and family and was active until passing. Her life was devoted to family, friends, and her faith. Her home is filled with pictures and memories of those she loved.

Her faith in the Savior and his gospel showed forth brightly in her life. Helen served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in many positions, including Relief Society President, teacher, and genealogist. Her home office has an accumulation of thousands of hours of genealogy information.

A viewing will be held at the Hood Mortuary, 1261 E Third Avenue, Durango, CO, Friday, July 8, 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be Saturday, July 9 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2 Hilltop Drive, Durango at 10 am with a viewing at 9 am. Interment will be at the Durango Greenmount Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested to make donations to LDS Family Service - Worldwide Emergency Response, 132 South State Street, Suite 300, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Make donations in memory of Helen Moss.