Helen Antaya Cordell, daughter of Albert Antaya and Elizabeth McLoughlin, passed away in Franklin, NC on Jan. 31, 2010. Born on August 18th 1920, she was 89 years old. She left this earth in the same calm and contented spirit with which she lived her life.
After her high school education in Hardwick, MA., she graduated as a registered nurse from Boston Children's Hospital and Simmons College. Soon after, she joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Reykjavik, Iceland during WWII. With her quiet grace and open spirit, she attracted the attention of a certain blue eyed southern gentleman, Arthur Cordell, whom she married in Reykjavik on Feb.1,1945.

Returning to the states, Helen and Arthur began family life, raising 12 children in Massachusetts. As if a dozen kids were not enough, Helen opened her doors to troubled teens, inner city children who came for a summer stay and many other colorful characters, without judgement or criticism.
The children began to leave home and Helen decided in favor of a more bucolic existence with Arthur and the younger kids. They moved to Dighton, MA. where Helen was passionately involved in organic gardening and the good life as prescribed by Adele Davis, Helen and Scott Nearing, and Robert Rodale. When asked how she managed to tend her beautiful, bountiful garden, " Oh! Arthur does all the work on the weekends."
Having land meant there was room for more than a garden and the animals came and multiplied. Soon Arthur arranged for a gambrel roofed barn to be built for Helen's growing herd of Toggenburg goats. Hauling water by the pailful, she raised an entirely new generation of "kids" who possessed a much smaller vocabulary of back-talk. They gave her sweet milk with which she made cheese; they gave her enormous pleasure and they inspired Helen to become a 4-H leader, once again nurturing youngsters to share a life close to the earth. They traveled to country fairs, and brought home ribbons galore. All the while, Helen quietly and humbly moved through her busy life at a steady pace and shared her gifts with everyone.

Around 1980, Arthur retired and Helen kept her promise to him of returning to live near his southern roots. They found a home in Bethel, N.C.; looking east, they could see Cold Mountain and to the west was a long open view with many possibilities for a new garden. Helen decided she loved the mountains more than the ocean. Her creative urges continued to flourish with a new interest, quilt making. The Cruso Friendship Club welcomed her with open arms. As in all new endeavors, the initial patterns were simple and as the years went by, they became more complex and more beautiful. While Arthur focused on woodworking and jewelry making, Helen sewed to her hearts content and together they enriched the visual and decorative world around them. After making quilts for her children and husband, she went on to make lap quilts for veterans at the VA and others in need, to display her quilts at the annual raffle and enjoy her growing friendships within the Cruso Club.
Home to Helen and Arthur for 30 years, Bethel was the center of festivities, the highlight each year being a big noisy Yankee swap on Christmas day. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren came and went. Helen and Aurthur enjoyed the hubub as much as the quiet afterwards.
In recent months, as Helen became sick, she accepted her challenges with the grace and calm characteristic of her nature. She looked life straight in the eye with optimism and quiet determination. As an only child who once said,"I want to suround myself with my own family," she did that and so much more. Helen will be missed by all who knew her and the ripples of her shining example will continue to widen and envelop those who stand in her circle.
The service and reception will be held on Sunday, Feb. 14th at 2:00p.m. at Macon Funeral Home, 261 Iotla St. Franklin, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Cancer Research and Angel Home Health and Hospice of Franklin, N.C.
Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences can be made at www.maconfuneralhome.com

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