Helen Marie Hewett was born in Rapid City, SD, on July 20, 1909. She died on February 11, 2013, in Spearfish. Her parents were Thomas and Mary (Engdahl) Hewett. She attended school and graduated from Rapid City High School in 1927. She worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company for seven years. Helen married Kenneth Smythe, August 4, 1935. They lived in Spearfish, Sturgis and Belle Fourche where Kenneth was manager of the Montana Dakota Utilities (MDU) branch office. Their daughter, Sharon, was born in Sturgis

During and after the War Years, the family moved several times, first, to Vallejo, California, where both Kenneth and Helen were employed at the Mare Island Shipyard. They moved to Mitchell, SD, where their son, James, was born. Lastly, the family of four moved to San Francisco where both Helen and Kenneth worked at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. Helen also worked as a school secretary for the San Francisco School District.

In 1951, the family moved back to Spearfish where Kenneth was again Manager of the MDU office. Helen found Spearfish a very special place to live and never wanted to leave. She worked for the Buckingham Transportation Company and as secretary to the Principal at Spearfish High School until she retired. After retirement, she worked part time at the Grace Ballock Memorial Library.

Helen was an active member of the Queen City Chapter #89, Order of Eastern Star. She served as the Worthy Matron. Helen also served the Grand Chapter of South Dakota and was appointed the Grand Representative of Wisconsin. She was a member of the Past Matrons Club. The United Church of Christ has been Helen's church home for over 50 years. Helen was active in various organizations that included the Western Slope Extension Club, the Quarter Century Club, TOPS Club, Senior Citizens, Friends of the Library, and RSVP. She was a lifetime member of the Parent Teacher Association.

Her husband, father, mother, four sisters and one brother preceded her in death. Helen is survived by her son, James, Spearfish, SD; daughter and son-in law, Sharon and Jerry Robison Santa Rosa, CA; and nieces and nephews, Mary Alyce LaFave, Portland, OR, Delores Reilly, Los Angeles, CA, Robert Smythe, Chevy Chase, MD, Carol Smythe, Philadelphia, PA, Stuart Smythe, Olympia, WA, Marjorie Bullock, Hamberg, NJ, and Leon Swiegart, Rapid City SD.

A memorial has been established at the Queen City Chapter #89 Order of Eastern Star (2310 W. Oliver, Spearfish, SD 57783) and the Spearfish United Church of Christ.

A memorial service will be Monday, March 25, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the United Church of Christ in Spearfish, SD.