Helen Aileen Horbury

Helen Aileen Horbury, 94, passed away on March 3, 2017. Helen was born on the Anthony family dairy farm in central Pennsylvania on July 1, 1922. She had seven brothers and one sister. When World War II broke out, many of her older siblings joined the war effort. After two years, she left the farm and joined the Navy, graduating at the top of her class, trained in aircraft engine repairs. She was only the second class of the newly formed Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). She was stationed in Rhode Island where she met the love of her life, Clifford Horbury. They married two months later, the beginning of a happy union lasting over 72 years. Their family grew to include three girls, Donna, Janet, and Cindy. They moved to Texas in 1949 when Cliff's job as an aviation mechanic with Vought Aircraft transferred 1500 families to Grand Prairie. The Horburys remained life-long friends with ten other young couples who also moved their families from Connecticut to work for the same company. While raising their children, Helen worked in the payroll department for Sears, using her love of numbers and organization skills. She also loved fashion and made beautiful clothes for her family and others. In the late 1960's, she won Best of Show at the State Fair of Texas for her fashion entry, her daughter's wedding gown. In the 1970's, she sewed costumes for Six Flags Over Texas for the shows and parades throughout the park. She later worked for several alteration stores. In 1991, Cliff and Helen moved back to Pennsylvania for six years, then returned to Texas. They loved to travel and experienced many adventures together while vacationing throughout the US and the Caribbean. They were honored in recent years as veterans in local newspaper articles and events such as parades, and trips to WWII memorials and museums. Her husband, Cliff, preceded her in death in January of this year. Helen was grateful for having so many happy years together. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by one brother, John Anthony, her daughter Donna Cariker (and husband, Jerry), daughter Cindy Burch (and husband, Hans), son-in-law Danny Pollard, grandchildren Clint, Cheri, Brad, and Kevin; great-grandchildren Raquel, Danyel, Christopher, Hunter, Chase, Madison, and Alex, as well as many loving nieces, nephews, and family. She will be greatly missed, but we are comforted knowing she and her husband, Cliff, will once again be together. Donations can be sent to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd. Tyler, TX 75701

Helen Aileen Horbury

July 1, 1922 - March 3, 2017