Helene Orcutt

Helene Marie Richardson Orcutt, 79, of Bozeman passed away August 3, 2008 from complications of Myelo Fibrosis. She was born August 19, 1928 in Pampa, Texas to Dee Elliot and Cuin Richardson, Helene was the sixth of seven children. She graduated from high school in Bonham, Texas, and in 1948, moved to Los Angeles. There, she worked as a secretary in an engineering company. In 1950, Helene married Vernon Carroll. Together, they had a beautiful daughter, Dianne Lorraine Carroll in 1952. The two were divorced in 1957. During the 1950s, she was employed as a secretary and administrative assistant at Northrop Ventura aerospace facility. She worked on the Gemini, Mercury and Apollo space projects as well as other programs. She became the shining light of Tom Orcutt when they were married on August 29, 1959 in Van Nuys, California. They purchased and expanded a photographic and sound business in Woodland Hills, California. In 1969, they welcomed the birth of their son Steve Russell. Tom, a Montana native, and Helene sold their business and residence and moved to Ennis, Montana in 1976 where they built a log home in the foothills. In 1992, the couple moved to Bozeman where Helene joined the Senior Center and made many friends. Helene loved her family, music, travel, hobbies, and her intelligent cat, Trouble. She was an accomplished seamstress and loved to work on that and many other crafts. Helene was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers and one sister. She is survived by her husband, Tom; daughter Dianne (John) Bowden of Santa Clarita, CA; son Steve of Seattle, WA; step-daughter April (Michael Kamerick) Orcutt of San Anselmo, CA; sister Evelyn Lynch of Paso Robles, CA; brother Lloyd (Joyce) Richardson of Texas, and nieces Leslie, Evelyn, and Nancy. A Celebration of Helene#8217;s life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 9, 2008 at Dahl Funeral Chapel. Remembrances may be made in Helene#8217;s name to Bozeman Deaconess Cancer Center, 931 Highland Blvd Ste. 3130, Bozeman, MT 59715, or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.