Helen Johnson-Wilburn Obituary

To you MOM, I miss you so very much and Its so hard to go on without you I always dreaded the the day that you would leave me but by the grace of God I am able to cope. You lived a very prospours life and you were the best mother and grandmother God could have ever given to anyone but he blessed me with you. I truly cherish you and how you raised me and everything you instilled in me. Even though I did not show it like I was supposed to I admired you more than anyone on this earth you were truly a blessing to me and my children. Its so hard to beleive that its been three years. Well I love you and miss you so very much and tell my brother that i love and miss him to. From your daughter with love Detra.

Helen will surely be missed. We had great times both working on the Colorado Workplace Coalition and during free time. On many occasions we had great laughs when I would pick she and Joyce up to attend a meeting in Denver. We had planned to repeat a dinner that she, Joyce Harrison, and Hazel Lowe held at my home when I was recovering from a serious illness. They bought delicious food from Colorado Springs. We had a great time. We spoke about doing so shortly after the new year. She will be missed.



Aggie

Helen and I worked in the Regions for many years for the Colorado Civil Rights Division. We had many laughs and serious talks together. Helen had a zeal for life that is unmatched by any other. I will miss her.

Having worked with Helen for approximately twenty-three years at the Colorado Civil Rights Division, I found her to be a person of integrity, high standards and dedicated to her work and principles. She had a very strong sense of right and wrong, fairness and injustice.

I met Helen in October 2001,when I began my tenure with the Colorado Civil Rights Division. I never knew anyone so candid as Helen, other than myself. I enjoyed working with her, even though it was such a short time. Helen was my mentor because she had such a wealth of knowledge about civil rights and affirmative action. I miss her dearly.

I met Helen when I became a member of the Colorado Workplace Equity Coalition, Inc. Working together on conference registration and putting together packets, I got to know Helen very well during those times. Helen was a speak your mind, no holds barred kind of person. She could state what she thought in a quick witted manner. I will miss her dearly and I know she is smiling upon us now.

Helen was a colleague and a friend. I first met her in 1994 when I was hired by the Colorado Civil Rights Division, Denver office, after her promotion to Regional Office Manager - Colorado Springs. I recall that when I first introduced myself as her "replacement", Helen turned to me, and in that voice no one can copy or imitate, she replied, "Honey, no one can replace me!!" I am happy to say we remained friends. I last heard from her at Christmas. I would like to believe we respected each other. Helen had a passion for all she did whether it be for her family or for civil rights. She was particularly proud of her grandchildren and often let me know that it was only with the help and patience of Maleka that Helen finally came into "the world of computers". Helen also knew how to have fun. A side of her, I suspect she seldom showed, particularly to people with whom she worked. But I will never forget and will think of Helen with a smile when I recall the surprise I got when she belted out a spirited Karaoke version of Aretha Franklin's "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" at a diversity conference reception (complete with choreography!!).... Enough said as Helen would probably not like me going into anymore details about that evening....



With all life, there is happiness and sorrow, as well as something "in between". Helen displayed a strong work ethic; a never-ending independence of spirit and thought; a direct and honest manner. She seemed to meet any challenge life handed her and truly "did it her way". She remains one of the most non-hypocritical people I have ever met. Always speaking her mind, and from the heart. Whether one liked her style or did not, her presence in all that she did, could not be denied. I am glad our paths crossed. I will always think of her with a smile and a little sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with Helen, her family and friends - Georgia Roberts