Helen Rose Gannott of Atascadero, California passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Templeton, CA.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., Wednesday, May 11, 2022 in the Kissee-Schofield-Eakins Funeral Home, Forsyth, MO. Funeral service will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 12, 2022 in the funeral home with Pastor Jeramie Henson officiating. Burial will follow in the Kissee Mills Cemetery, Kissee Mills, MO.
Helen or “Tooter” as she was fondly called by family was born Saturday, June 4, 1938 in Kissee Mills, Missouri to Ray & Cordelia Roberts. Helen graduated in 1958 from St. John’s School of Nursing in Springfield, Missouri. Helen soon left the Ozarks moving to California where she began her career at The State of California Department of Mental Health.
Helens love for helping others and her desire to help the mentally ill became the forefront of her thirty-eight-year career as a Registered Nurse. Throughout Helens career she saw many changes to the nursing profession whilst maintaining her passion for quality and equal treatment. Helen obtained her Master of Science Degree in Nursing Administration in 1994 from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Helen made changes to a fractured hospital system and received many accolades for her contributions to nursing. Her career spanned many generations and saw many changes but her passion remained. Helen retired from nursing in 1998.
Helen had a deep love for family and continued nurturing and mentoring, seeing many of us follow in her footsteps becoming Registered Nurses, Teachers and Psychiatric Technicians. She was always there to assist with late night college paper writing or lend a listening ear in troubled times. Helen touched the hearts and minds of many and has taught many “Life” lessons that will remain with us all.
Helen has been grandmother, aunt and friend to many, her infectious laughter and hugs were enjoyed by all and will never be forgotten. Helen spent her summers in Missouri where she loved and enjoyed visiting with family, grandchildren and friends.
Yearly traditions of Thanksgiving and Easter were special. During this time, she could often be found in the kitchen sharing her knowledge, and love of cooking with the younger generation.
Helen is preceded in death by her parents, Ray & Cordelia (Thomas) Roberts. She is survived by her son, Michael (Charlotte) Gannott of Kissee Mills, Missouri; daughter, Michelle Gannott of Atascadero, California; grandchildren, Michael (Shelby) Gannott of Springfield, Missouri, Marshall Gannott of Kissee Mills, Missouri, Chandra (Bobby) Thomsen of Stockton, California; great-grandchildren, Hazel Gannott, Milo Gannott, Lylah Thomsen, Lana Thomsen and Lexi Thomsen.
She will be deeply missed by all.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kissee-Schofield-Eakins Funeral Home Forsyth, MO.