Helen Sullivan

October 9, 1939 - May 29, 2025

Helen Margaret Sullivan, 85, of Hamilton, passed away Thursday, May 29, 2025 of metastatic lung cancer. She was born October 9, 1939, in Hardin, Mont. to parents Michael and Helen Kuchera. Helen spent her childhood in Hardin. Her family moved to Billings, Mont. in 1952, where her father opened Kuchera's Furniture Store.

Helen graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School in 1957. She then attended Eastern Montana College, graduating with a bachelor's degree in education.

Helen met her husband Robert Sullivan (Bob) in December 1957. Following a brief engagement they married on June 21, 1958. In June of 1959 Bob and Helen welcomed daughter Michelle and in June of 1960, daughter Helen Rose.

Her first teaching job was at St. Pius X Elementary School in Billings. She was hired to teach at Broadwater Elementary. In 1972, Helen and family moved to Missoula. Helen taught 5th & 6th grades at Hellgate Elementary while Bob worked as an insurance adjuster.

After teaching for 28 plus years, Helen retired. She and Bob decided it was time for a new adventure and moved to Portland, Ore. Not quite ready to enjoy a leisurely retirement, Helen took a position managing Colonial Office Campus in Portland, consisting of four, three story office buildings. A true people person, Helen enjoyed the work and the tenants she dealt with on a daily basis. Ten years into the position, she decided it was time to go, but still not time to retire.

In her early 60's, she joined forces with a friend to purchase and flip houses. She wasn't one to swing a hammer but she was happy to tackle any of the cleaning, painting or errand running. Finally at 72, Helen told Bob she was done. She was ready to retire.

To keep herself busy, Helen knitted, crocheted and joined the Women's Auxiliary in Tigard, Ore., American Legion Post 158. Both Helen and Bob were active members of the Post until they moved to Hamilton in July of 2020.

Bob passed away in June of 2023. Married for almost 65 years Helen was devastated by his loss but found strength and solace from the friends she'd made at the Hamilton Senior Center.

Helen was preceded in death by her father, Michael; mother, Helen; brothers, Joseph, Michael and Charles; and husband, Robert. Survivors include daughters, Michelle (Daniel Thompson), Helen Rose and Dean Howard; brother-in-law, Michael Sullivan (Debby); grandchildren, Michael Howard (Keri), Katelyn (Jordan Wiebe); and great grandchildren, Krewz and Harrisyn Wiebe and Hank and Halle Howard.

A memorial service for Helen will be held at Daly-Leach Memorial Chapel in Hamilton on Friday, June 27th at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow. Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com

In lieu of sending flowers, the family suggests making a donation to the Hamilton Senior Center.

Daly-Leach Chapel & Crematory

1010 W. Main St. - Hamilton, MT 59840

406-363-2010