Helen Payson Sebring, beloved wife of Frederick Archie Sebring and daughter of Carl Victor and Alma Grace Payson, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 16, 2017. Helen was born in Boston in 1926 and grew up in Milton, Massachusetts. She married the love of her life, Fred Sebring, in 1948. She and Fred moved from Boston to Denver, Colorado shortly after they married. Helen and Fred had six children – five daughters and one son. They lived for many years in Colorado before moving to California. Helen loved to travel, and traveled to all continents except Antarctica. If travel to the moon had been available, she surely would have jumped at the opportunity. To the very end, she was always planning her next big trip.
Helen graduated from Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts with a degree in journalism. After her children were in school, she earned a teaching credential from the University of Denver and later, in California, a Master's of Education. She taught elementary children in Colorado and California for 30+ years. She received a National Education Association award for an innovative program she developed, receiving the award from Coretta Scott King at an event in Philadelphia – one of her proudest moments. Helen was forever a writer and story-teller. With a friend, she published a book about her life journey.
Helen enjoyed time at the mountains and the beach, especially the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California at Big Bear, Mothers Beach in Long Beach, California and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
Helen had a life-long compassion for helping others. She volunteered with many organizations including the Assistance League and AAUW in Long Beach.
Helen loved spending time with her family – her daughters, son, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, her ten grandchildren, and her eight great-grandchildren. Helen is survived by her husband Fred, her daughters Judy, Candy Powell (Lee), Penny Daugherty (Peter), Sarah Binder, and Audrey Black (Steve); her son Pete Sebring (Sharon); her grandchildren – Matthew (Lyra), Andrew (Maiko) and Michael (Melody) Powell; Brian and Robin Daugherty; Danielle Handley (Jordan), Megan, and Wes Sebring (Clyde Sinclair); and Jeff (Lauren) and John Black; and her great grandchildren – Lauren and James Powell; Eric and Katelyn Powell; Nova and Athena Powell; Aiden Handley; and Owen Black.
A celebration of life memorial service will be held later this fall. Contributions may be made to Get on the Bus Program or the Hoffman House Sober Living- Long Beach.