Helen Deane Neighbor born February 12, 1926 died at the age of 91, March 6, 2017 in Issaquah, Washington due to complications caused by pneumonia and respiratory issues. Helen is survived by her daughter Diane (David Leeds) Neighbor, son Dana (Leslie) Neighbor, stepson Bob Galaway, grandchildren Bryce, Grant and Zahnie. She is also survived by her step-children Thomas Narvaez, Yvonne Narvaez and Joanne McCallum (Narvaez), and her step-grandchildren Erin Galaway, Andrew Galaway and Michelle Galaway.
In 1948 she received her undergraduate degree in Home Economics at Kansas State University. Later in 1966 she received a master’s degree in Education at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. Helen pursued a career as a county extension agent advising county residents in nutrition and home management, first in her home state of Kansas then eventually for the county of El Paso, Texas. She was well known for her weekly television news segment covering foods and nutrition for the local El Paso TV stations along with writing a weekly column for the El Paso Times Newspaper.
Along with her career she was busy raising a family that included raising her two children Diane and Dana. Her family duties were later extended through a second marriage to include Bob and Nancy Galaway.
Helen was born to Ada and Clyde Dameron in Minneapolis, Kansas. She married Howard Neighbor right after graduating from Kansas State. She later married Jim Galaway in El Paso, Texas. Her final marriage to Thomas Narvaez in El Paso, Texas eventually lead to a relocation to Washington state first to Lyle, Washington then finally settling in Eatonville, Washington. Thomas and Helen pursued mutual interests together in treating health issues through nutrition and alternative treatments.
She had a soft spot in her heart for nature and animals that stemmed from her roots in rural Kansas. She demonstrated a strong connection for all living things including caring for strays, raising chickens and tending a garden.
Helen (Deanie) enjoyed looking at the deeper meaning of life and events that touched her. She easily connected with strangers and animals, choosing to maintain a positive attitude even if she was experiencing bodily pain. She never stopped learning about issues that concerned her like nutrition, spiritual exploration and animal rights. She was loved, admired and respected by many as a mentor, matriarch, teacher and lifetime friend to many.
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